UPDATED: 04/13/20 6:40 p.m.
In a Monday afternoon meeting, Hillsborough County’s Emergency Policy Group voted 5-3 to implement a new nighttime curfew, in response to the coronavirus outbreak.
No votes came from Hillsborough County Commissioner Kimberly Overman, Temple Terrace Vice Mayor Andy Ross and Plant City Mayor Rick Lott No.
The curfew, meant to limit night time gatherings, goes into effect April 13 and covers the hours of 9 p.m.-5 a.m.—the only exceptions are for “essential” trips out of the house.
"Going to the grocery store, pharmacy, or to/from another essential activity, is still allowed during curfew hours. Otherwise, residents must stay off the streets," the county wrote in release. "Social gatherings are not considered essential."
Violating the county’s “Safer-At-Home” order is currently a second-degree misdemeanor, which carries a $500 fine or up to six months in jail. The same punishment applies to violations of the new curfew.
All members of the group, however, have been clear about not wanting to create any kind of Draconian state. Emergency Policy Group Chariman Les Miller himself said that police wouldn't arrest anyone and that people will not be required to carry ID to show they are "essential" during the nighttime hours.
Hillsborough County’s already in-effect “safer-at-home” order already directs residents to stay home as much as possible, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.” The order—which passed on March 26—asks residents to stay home except when performing essential tasks, like getting groceries, liquor, or going to the doctor.
The curfew passed on Monday is meant to reinforce the message to individuals who’re continually violating the order.
In a post-meeting call with reporters, Miller added that it would indeed be a violation to take a jog or walk the dog after 9 p.m.
Before the vote, many members of the group expressed frustration about adding another layer to a “safer-at-home” order that already asks people to stay home. But even Hillsborough County School Board chairwoman Melissa Snively, who’s been against taking away personal freedoms, agreed with the curfew.
“I tend to fall on the side of safety, and am risk averse by nature, so I think I would have to support a curfew in place that has some teeth in it, that would hopefully curtail some of this activity that is problematic for citizens,” Snively said.
Miller was blunt in his response and reminded the group that “we are trying to save lives.”
Miller cited a call law enforcement received regarding a gathering of more than 100 people near the corner of 26th Street and 15th Avenue in Tampa in V.M. Ybor
“That is absolutely absurd,” Miller said of the gathering.
Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister added that his department received 38 complaints over Easter weekend, bringing the total of complaints to more than 200.
Chronister also made it a point to bring up Governor Ron DeSantis’ order which DeSantis says supersedes any local orders.
Jennie Tarr, Chief Assistant County Attorney, told the Emergency Policy group that “as far as essential activities that the governor has indicated and listed in his order—capturing the Homeland Security document as well as the Miami-Dade [order]—that we cannot be more restrictive. But as to other areas we can, and he specifically says in his order that social gatherings and public spaces are not essential activities.”
When Miller asked asked for clarification, Tarr said, “I'm saying as far as the essential activities we cannot be more restrictive but on all the other areas that we can, or the enforcement of those.”
At the meeting, Castor also made a motion to require mandatory mask wearing throughout the county. The Emergency Policy Group agreed to vote on the motion at the next meeting of the group, which is on Thursday, April 16 at 1:30 p.m. EDT.
Sorry about your porch party, fam.
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