Columbia police may ticket or arrest under shelter-in-place law. Compassion promised
Walking to the corner store to buy beer with a couple of friends — or petting someone’s dog while on a stroll — could land you in jail for 30 days or cost you $500 under Columbia’s shelter-in-place ordinance.
While the punishments for violating the city’s latest law are possible, Columbia Police Department promises officers will be “exercising common sense.”
“Columbia Police officers will enforce the City of Columbia’s Stay Home Stay Safe ordinance in the same respect as the Curfew Ordinance,” the department said, “by following the law, exercising common sense, discretion, fairness, compassion and impartial policing while understanding that each case or incident brings different circumstances.”
More than 530 people in South Carolina have tested positive for COVID-19, the illness caused by the new coronavirus, while at least 13 have died, according to health officials. Richland County, where Columbia is located, ranks second in the state for the most confirmed cases.
While arrests and tickets are possible, they’re unlikely.
Last week, City Council put a curfew in place that restricted travel and public gatherings from 11:00 p.m. until 6:00 a.m. to help stop the spread of the virus.
With the curfew, the police department gave out a few more than 50 verbal warnings and had “good compliance,” according to police department spokesperson Jennifer Timmons.
As the number of cases of the virus grew, council, led by Mayor Steve Benjamin, began discussing how to further fight the virus through better enforcement of social distancing. Council passed the Stay Home Stay Safe ordinance on Wednesday, which goes into effect Sunday.
“(Columbia police officers) have been and will continue to remind citizens about the (new ordinance) while promoting the value of social distancing,” Timmons said.
The ordinance requires that people only leave their homes for work and “essential services.” If a person must leave their home they are required to stay 6 feet away from others unless riding in a vehicle together.
The ordinance specifies essential services as food services and grocery stores, public transportation, manufacturing operations, the news media, banks, homeless shelters, as well as services provided by real estate brokers, plumbers, electricians and dry cleaners.
The ordinance also bans gatherings of three or more people and requires essential business to “use all reasonable means to ensure social distancing of at least six feet from others.”
The Columbia Police Department and the fire department and other city compliance officers are empowered to enforce the rules.
A violation of any of the rules is a misdemeanor and under city code is punishable by a $500 ticket, 30 days in jail or both.
“The Columbia Police Department has exercised common sense and compassion in exercising their duties during these very difficult times,” Mayor Benjamin said. “They are held to a very high standard under Chief Holbrook and they know what we expect of them. I know they will continue to lead us well.”
The state’s Attorney General, Alan Wilson, challenged the legality of Columbia’s shelter-in-place ordinance, also known as a stay-at-home law, arguing that only the governor “is responsible for the safety, security and welfare of the state” and that municipal leaders cannot usurp the state’s executive power.
The City of Charleston, South Carolina’s largest city, passed the first shelter-in-place ordinance in the state on March 24 amid the outbreak of the coronavairus. Greenville has also considered a similar law.
BEHIND THE STORY
MOREWhat you should know about the coronavirus
The coronavirus is spreading in the United States. Officials are urging people to take precautions to avoid getting sick, and to avoid spreading the disease if they do contract it.
Click the drop-down icon on this card for more on the virus and what you should do to keep yourself and those around you healthy.
What is coronavirus?
Coronavirus is an infection of the respiratory system similar to the flu. Coronaviruses are a class of viruses that regularly cause illnesses among adults and children, but this outbreak has spawned a new disease called COVID-19, a particularly harsh respiratory condition that can lead to death.
Health officials believe COVID-19 spread from animals to humans somewhere in China. It spreads among humans by physical person-to-person contact, including via coughs. That’s why health officials urge sick individuals to avoid contact with other people.
For more information, visit the website for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms are similar to the flu and include fever, coughing and shortness of breath.
How can I stop the spread of the coronavirus?
Wash your hands regularly with soap and water, and cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze.
If you develop symptoms similar to the coronavirus, you should seek medical attention. Stay home from work or school and avoid contact with others. It can take up to 14 days after coming into contact with the virus to develop symptoms.
COVID-19 is a new condition and there’s much about the disease we still don’t understand. For now, taking precautions is the best way to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
This story was originally published March 27, 2020 at 4:03 PM.