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Tuesday, April 14, 2020

REHOBOTH POLICE BEGIN ENFORCING STATE OF EMERGENCY COMPLIANCE

Rehoboth Beach Police continue the initiative started on April 3rd, 2020 to closely monitorout-of-state travelers within city limits, as well as, the closures of the beach and Boardwalk. The main goal of this on-going initiative is to take action to monitor, inform, and enforce the beach and Boardwalk closures and the 14-day self-quarantine mandate imposed upon out-of-state travelers.

As a result of the continuing efforts of the men and women of our agency, 217 individuals have been safely monitored since April 3rd. Of those 217 individuals, 169 were safely contacted. Of those contacted, 66 were out-of-state motorists and 103 were individuals attempting to use the beach and/or Boardwalk. Twenty-eight of the individuals contacted were found to be in violation of one or more mandates established by the current State of Emergency.

Since April 11th, 2020, officers have arrested 8 individuals for blatant non-compliance with the closure of the beach and/or Boardwalk. In all cases, the offenders drove into the city past the large electronic signs located at each entrance which clearly state that the beach and Boardwalk are closed to all activities to include exercising and dog walking. The offenders, both male, and female ranged in age from 26 to 53 and were from Virginia, Washington D.C., and Delaware. All but one were issued a criminal summons for disorderly conduct, while the remaining individual was cited for disrobing in public as he urinated on the Boardwalk.

The Rehoboth Beach Police will continue to be vigilant in monitoring citizens and visitors to our city. In cases of blatant disregard, we will enforce compliance.

As always, we appreciate the efforts of our dedicated employees and all those like them that risk their own safety and the safety of their loved ones to protect our community. We continue to express our gratitude to anyone doing their part to end this pandemic and our appreciation to our community for their understanding during this time of concern and change. We remain steadfast in knowing that this is only temporary.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

As a local and resident, I would like to see OCPD do the same. Living here comes with its perks and challenges, and we are all well aware of how tourism affects this area. However, I am very tired of those from out of state who come to the area at this time with the "I'll do whatever I want" thought process. I don't see anything wrong with OCPD making people aware and continuing to inform them that the beach and boards are closed, which they can safely do using their speakers from inside their patrol vehicles. OCPD, as a resident, I would like to see you do someing in a similar manner to RB.

Anonymous said...

I feel safer knowing this.

And in case anyone might be thinking that this is excessive, let me remind you that the shut down saves lives.

Just think: in January and February alone, 11 people died of car crashes in Sussex County. I am betting that number will be down for March and April.

Perhaps we should extend the shutdown. No car driving means no car accident deaths!

Then we can concentrate on the opioid situation- a year or two ago, Sussex County experienced Four opioid fatalities in a single weekend. That ought to be good for a couple months lockdown and beach closing. Let’s pick July and August.

Anonymous said...

I agree. Tourist come here like it's a right, stomp all over the beach, and surrounding areas, abuse the hard workers, and go back to their miserable lives. It is a right to come here, but not all the other stuff.

Anonymous said...

I'm fortunate to own multiple residents and am a proud American of our Eastern Shore. I made a lifestyle and choices yet have similar reservations about many things. Unfortunately many that supply the revenue to make our eastern shore prosper don't make good choices that impact us all.

The same people that need to stay away - need to come back in the future. To do so they need to stay away for now or possibly encounter circumstances via law enforcement.

Its not as simple as closing bridges, taking pictures of license plates or over utilizing our LEOs which by the way are not enough.

Takes political leadership to make tough choices today so we can be around tomorrow. No in fighting or mud slinging - if not, there will be no tomorrow as we used to know it.

Anonymous said...

They need to do like N. Korea is doing, beat the violators with a wooden pole!

Anonymous said...

@ AnonymousApril 14, 2020 at 12:50 PM
I'm fortunate to own multiple residents

Haven’t you heard - slavery was abolished by the 13th amendment.

Time to free those residents!

Anonymous said...

Sounds like the Gestapo: How dare you Jews travel on our streets. Where's your arm band?
This is getting way too Orwellian for my liking.