Criminal citations and fines: Johnson County prepares to enforce coronavirus orders
Johnson County law enforcement could issue criminal citations and fines if residents or businesses violate the metrowide stay-at-home order, Assistant County Manager Joe Connor said Friday — although he does not expect that to be a common occurrence.
Violations of the order — which went in effect Tuesday — would first come with a warning, he said. But police departments could issue citations, or even take action to close a business, if violations continue and are severe enough.
“Nobody is interested in issuing a ticket. We’re not planning on closing any businesses at this time,” Connor said. “But we’re trying to provide education and get people to understand they need to comply for a lot of reasons. We’re trying to minimize the effect (coronavirus) is going to have on our community. We can’t just ignore what is happening.”
The sheriff’s and police departments are being tasked with fielding and investigating complaints.
That’s different from Kansas City, where officials have said enforcement does not fall under the authority of the police department but rather the Kansas City Fire Marshal’s Office or regulated industries.
In Kansas City, violations will be considered misdemeanor offenses, punishable by a $500 fine and up to six months in jail.
But Connor said officials are still fine-tuning a plan for enforcing the order and have yet to determine what violators could be required to pay. So far, he said, no one has received a ticket.
Johnson County has been fielding several complaints about businesses violating the stay-at-home order, implemented to mitigate the spread of the new coronavirus. The order, which will be in effect until April 24, requires residents to remain at home except for activities “essential to the health and safety” of themselves, family members or friends.
Residents should not be worried about being pulled over on the way to work, Connor said. Violations will only be investigated by local officers after a complaint is filed.
Officials are emphasizing that residents should not call 911 to issue a complaint about any potential violations. In Johnson County, residents can call the administrative line at the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office or by contacting local police departments. In Kansas City, potential violations should be reported to the city’s 311 Call Center.
What’s allowed?
Johnson County’s stay-at-home order mirrors the one issued in Kansas City.
Under the order, trips to essential businesses such as grocery stores, pharmacies, hardware stores, doctors’ offices, dry cleaners, laundromats, banks and restaurants are permitted. Restaurants may only offer delivery or carryout.
Essential businesses also include hospitals and organizations that provide food, shelter and social services for the homeless and low-income clients. Child care facilities are permitted, as long as they only serve 10 children at a time.
Weddings, funerals and wakes are not allowed.
Parks and trails are open, but residents must abide by the guidelines of social distancing, which means staying six feet away from others, avoiding handshakes and covering coughs and sneezes.
Many cities and schools have closed playgrounds across Johnson County, but golf courses largely remain open with restrictions.
Officers have witnessed groups of people congregating at parks and athletic courts, violating social distancing rules. On Friday, Overland Park closed its basketball and other athletic courts.
“Overland Park has closed all of its tennis and pickleball courts, locked gates where applicable or removed the nets,” Police Chief Frank Donchez said. “We are taking an education approach to violators. We have printed up fliers for distribution upon arrival at parks or places where people are gathering.”
Johnson County Commissioner Steve Klika said his “phone has not stopped ringing,” with residents asking questions about what is restricted. The county has received thousands of calls from residents asking questions about the order.
On Thursday, he called on the county to better educate the public about what they can and cannot do over the next month.
“We better get the packaging and the messaging right. Otherwise we’re going to have a number of folks who are just not going to give credence to what we are saying,” Klika told commissioners.
Connor said the biggest piece of enforcing the order is education. The county is sharing information each day, especially as more cities close or add restrictions to playgrounds and outdoor facilities.
Law enforcement has primarily been focused on educating businesses. Officials plan to issue guidance to each business, Connor said, so that it is clear what stores are considered essential.
Donchez said the Overland Park Police Department is operating as normal, while also encouraging phone-in reports about potential violations.
Residents could be told to go home if there is a public health concern.
“If people continue to have backyard parties, continue to have parties inside homes with groups of more than 10 people, we’re not going to get anywhere with trying to stop the spread of the virus,” Connor said.
“We need help”
Officials in Johnson County are pleading for residents to abide by the stay-at-home order, as the number of confirmed coronavirus cases exponentially increases.
Johnson County has reported the highest number of COVID-19 cases in Kansas, with 66 as of Friday afternoon. Last week, testing for the virus was reduced in the county because of a shortage of tests statewide.
“The strategy we’ve laid out is the best one that we know of that will avoid massive amounts of loss of life and the collapse of our health care infrastructure,” Public Health Officer Joseph LeMaster told commissioners on Thursday. “We know this is very disruptive to everyday life. But we have to look carefully at the strategies that are going to do the most important work to save the most lives.”
Johnson County commissioners have voiced concerns about a shrinking number of available hospital beds. LeMaster said 148 intensive care unit beds are available in the county, and 104 people who are showing symptoms of coronavirus have been admitted into hospitals.
Officials worry continued community spread of the virus will only put a heavier burden on already strained hospitals.
“If hospitals get overwhelmed, there’s nowhere for people to go. So we really need everyone to take this seriously. We need help,” Connor said.
Officials are calling on residents to take on the civic responsibility of staying home to protect themselves and the entire community.
“We, and all other Johnson County law enforcement agencies, want our citizens to abide by the stay-at-home emergency declaration,” Donchez said. “By following these crucial steps within the declaration, you help to avoid further spread of COVID-19 and endangering the lives of others. Saving a person’s life, including those in your family, should be your primary concern.”
