New COVID Policing Unit To Launch In Maryland On Thanksgiving Eve
ANNAPOLIS, MD — On top of drunk driving patrols, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan said a new type of policing would be going on this year around Thanksgiving.
To investigate reports of people violating state law, Hogan said at a news conference Monday the state was launching a unit under Maryland State Police to help enforce compliance, particularly with coronavirus regulations.
"Following the public health directives is the only way we will be able to stop this virus, keep Maryland open for business, and keep hospitals from overflowing," Hogan said.
Starting the night before Thanksgiving, state troopers will support local authorities in checking for compliance with state orders and educating the public about health protocols. Police will continue in these efforts through the holiday season, Hogan said.
Teams will be deployed to downtown areas like Bel Air, Towson, Salisbury, Silver Spring and Baltimore and other areas around the state "to prevent superspreading events," Hogan said, through a "compliance, education and enforcement operation."
Bethesda, Fells Point and Allegany County will also have holiday details, according to a statement from the governor's office, which said the operation will focus on bars, restaurants, banquet halls, nightclubs and other venues that host gatherings.
"The Wednesday before Thanksgiving is often a night where kids come home from college, they go out to bars to drink and socialize," Hogan said at a news conference Monday. “I cannot stress enough how reckless that behavior would be this year."
In Maryland, a statewide face mask mandate applies to indoor public spaces, on public transportation and outside when it is not possible to maintain 6 feet of distance between people.
"We will be sending additional state police to every single county," Hogan said. “Businesses and individuals who blatantly violate the public health orders and refuse to follow state law are not only willfully endangering themselves, but their family, friends and neighbors."
Marylanders can report violations to 833-979-2266 or by emailing prevent.covid@maryland.gov, which will be overseen by the Maryland State Police COVID-19 compliance unit.
The governor commended Baltimore County for its creation of a 30-member social distancing task force. It has conducted more than 7,000 inspections, driven by complaints and the desire to be proactive, according to Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski Jr.
"The situation is dire," Olszewski said, noting a 49-year-old mother who died in recent weeks from a combination of pneumonia and coronavirus. In the past month, he said, coronavirus cases more than quadrupled in Baltimore County.
"We have to take this virus seriously," said Olszewski, encouraging people not to gather and instead to follow public health guidance. "Please, for the love of God, please wear your mask."
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At 5 p.m. on Wednesday, the Maryland Emergency Management Agency will send an alert — the second case where the warning system has been used during Hogan's time as governor — that will notify those on cell phones about critical prevention measures and provide information about state and local law enforcement actions. The first time Hogan used the alert system was March 31 after issuing the stay-at-home guidance.
"If we keep on wearing our masks, washing our hands and keeping our distance," Hogan said, the efforts could be life-saving.
Citing what he called a "horrific case" of an assault on Coldstone employees in Anne Arundel County over the masking order, Hogan said of the disorderly patrons: "They will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."
While Maryland has a statewide mask order, Baltimore City, Montgomery County and Prince George's County have more stringent orders around face coverings.
"There is widespread community transmission in every corner of our state," Hogan said, noting Maryland has reported at least 1,000 cases of the virus each day for the past 19 days. "Especially now, it is critically important that we stay vigilant in this fight."
More than 230 sites to test for the virus in Maryland have been set up for what Hogan called the "rapidly increasing demand." Visit covidtest.maryland.gov for testing locations.
Watch the Maryland governor's Nov. 23 news conference announcing COVID enforcement and education efforts around Thanksgiving.
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This article originally appeared on the Bel Air Patch
