Pierce County police hope to educate not arrest over coronavirus stay-at-home order
Although Washingtonians have been asked to only leave home for essential reasons in an attempt to control the coronavirus outbreak, law enforcement officers in Pierce County say they’re taking an educational approach with residents caught breaking the decree.
Police do have the option to ticket or arrest those violating the stay-at-home order but have no immediate plans to do so.
“We are hoping people take it upon themselves to police themselves and understand the ramifications of what they’re doing,” said Pierce County sheriff’s spokesman Ed Troyer.
Gov. Jay Inslee on Monday issued the stay at home order but directed law enforcement to educate rather than enforce the order.
Since then, dozens of people have called 911 to report neighbors leaving their homes or groups of people congregating in public.
Officials want to remind the public that 911 is reserved for safety emergencies and ask folks not to call regarding the stay-at-home decree.
Patrol officers and deputies will address people violating the order as they see them.
“Our officers will engage and educate, if needed, while on patrol, but our primary focus, as always, is preventing and responding to crime,” said Tacoma police spokeswoman Wendy Haddow.
Troyer echoed that sentiment, saying that deputies are as busy as they’ve ever been.
“We’re really busy as it is. Crime hasn’t stopped,” he said.
In Lakewood, police are taking the educational approach and hoping residents voluntarily comply with the order.
“There are certainly criminal penalties associated with violating the order, but taking enforcement action and adding to the stress and anxiety of our community is the last thing we want to do,” Chief Mike Zarro said.
Violating the decree is a gross misdemeanor.
In a memo sent to all officers in Puyallup, Chief Scott Engle laid to rest the rumors of “martial law” or strict enforcement of the directive.
“PPD does not intend to detain, arrest, ticket or establish checkpoints for compliance,” he wrote. “But if people ignore the encouragement to follow the governor’s order, we can enforce the order through citation, and will if necessary for the health of the community.”
Engle stressed that the educational approach is the way to go.
This story was originally published March 27, 2020 at 11:00 AM.
