Credit: Tom Sofield/LevittownNow.com
The Bucks County Commissioners said Friday that local and state agencies are charged with enforcing the state’s COVID-19 mitigation measures.
The message came Friday after Bucks County Commissioner Chairperson Diane Ellis-Marseglia told reporters that numerous residents have been contacting them about businesses, especially gyms, that are violating Gov. Tom Wolf’s latest order to stop indoor dining and indoor operation of gyms amid a large number of COVID-19 cases and deaths.
Advertisements
Ellis-Marseglia said a letter from the governor’s office this week laid out that the responsibility for enforcement of the order falls on local and state agencies, not the county. Additionally, she stated that the commissioners don’t operate a police department for enforcement.
Ellis-Marseglia said concerned residents can contact the proper authorities if they wish to make a report.
The Bucks County Sheriff’s Office and Bucks County District Attorney’s Office, which employs detectives, are row offices separate from the commissioners. The Bucks County Rangers are under county oversight, but they are charged with patrolling county property and parks. The county health department is able to enforce some regulations related to eateries and other establishments that they inspect.
Advertisements
Dr. David Damsker, the county health department director, said the county and local law enforcement did become involved in one matter relating to a business not shutting down during the spring mitigation measures.
“It was handled and that was the only time we really had to go to a strong enforcement measure since this began,” he said.
Levittown-area district courts do not appear to have received many, if any, citations issued in relation governor’s order in recent weeks.
Advertisements
It should be noted that most businesses appear to be complying with the orders that were issued under the state’s public health laws.
Bucks County District Attorney Matt Weintraub said the decision on enforcement is left up to each municipal police department.
“Because I prefer that our police prioritize responding to emergencies when called, and to investigating crime, it remains my preference that our police don’t utilize their limited resources to enforce Gov. Wolf’s orders. I’ve made that recommendation to all of the police chiefs in Bucks County. I believe that adherence to this policy has been one of the primary reasons that our police services in Bucks County have not suffered a single lapse despite this pandemic. Nevertheless, this is an enforcement decision that each municipality must make for itself,” he said.
Advertisements
Pennsylvania State Police and other state agencies have guidance on dealing with violations of the governor’s orders, officials have said.
State police have issued enforcement actions against businesses that defy the governor’s orders recently and in past months.
Pennsylvania State Police liquor control enforcement officers said they issued 17 warnings and 11 violation notices out of 1,324 inspections carried out statewide this week.
Advertisements
State officials have said that the state liquor control board and departments of agriculture, health, and labor and industry also have some ability to enforce public health orders.
Commissioner Bob Harvie encouraged people support eateries by ordering takeout during the increased mitigation measures that end January 4.
Harvie said the eateries that are inspected by the county health department will have their inspection fees waived if they are in compliance with the safety measures.
Advertisements
In addition to federal support for small businesses, the county has doled out around $30 million in support for small businesses, including for many eateries, since spring.
With the latest shutdown, federal assistance is not as available as it was during the spring surge of COVID-19, a concern for many small business owners.
Advertisements
Bucks County Commissioner Gene DiGirolamo said he is hopeful a new federal support bill will be passed soon.
Report a correction via email | Editorial standards and policies
