Nassau & Suffolk fire marshals, police receiving hundreds of 'social distancing' complaints

From partially open offices, to restaurants and bars still serving or groups of kids riding bikes, officials in both Long Island counties are receiving plenty of calls about people failing to keep their distance.

News 12 Staff

Mar 26, 2020, 10:40 PM

Updated 1,491 days ago

Share:

A key to defeating the coronavirus has been shutting down businesses and keeping social distance, but whether people are following and enforcing those restrictions is a different story.
From partially open offices, to restaurants and bars still serving or groups of kids riding bikes, officials in both Long Island counties are receiving plenty of calls about people failing to keep their distance.
Both police and county fire marshals have responded to the calls.
"We're going to office buildings, we're trying to find out exactly what their business is," says Assistant Chief Fire Marshal Michael Uttaro. "We had a few bars open, we had a couple restaurants that were doing things the way they weren't supposed to be."
Uttaro says as of Thursday, they've received more than 200 calls into the matter, and of the 100 complaints investigated, they've issued two desk appearance tickets, meaning the violators will have to show up in criminal court.
"Outdoor activities are being regulated and enforced by police departments ... we're not going into single-family homes, we're not going to peoples' backyards," says Uttaro.
Nassau County closed its playgrounds on Monday, and public safety has patrolled areas like Eisenhower Park, where they've been instructed to tell people to separate if they're gathering in crowds.
Suffolk Police Commissioner Geraldine Hart says under the penal law, officers can break up crowds.
CORONAVIRUS TRACKER - Cases in the tri-state area
"If need be, we have unlawful assembly, we have trespass laws, we have disorderly conduct," says Hart.
So far, Suffolk police have received 82 calls, and found six businesses in "non-compliance" but didn't issue any tickets.
In Nassau, you can lodge your complaints via email at shutdownenforcement@nassaucountyny.gov.


More from News 12
0:32
Kingston man charged in barbershop stabbing

Kingston man charged in barbershop stabbing

1:30
Sun and clouds before spotty evening showers for Saturday in the Hudson Valley

Sun and clouds before spotty evening showers for Saturday in the Hudson Valley

0:29
MTA outlines new details on congestion pricing, including start date

MTA outlines new details on congestion pricing, including start date

1:53
Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

2:04
Movie theater experience: A close look at the Jacob Burns Film Center in Pleasantville

Movie theater experience: A close look at the Jacob Burns Film Center in Pleasantville

1:35
 White Plains community memorializes impactful couple as part of 41st Arbor Day celebration

White Plains community memorializes impactful couple as part of 41st Arbor Day celebration

0:21
Funeral held for Westchester correction officer killed in Scarsdale motorcycle crash

Funeral held for Westchester correction officer killed in Scarsdale motorcycle crash

0:31
Police: 18-year-old Washingtonville man with autism has gone missing

Police: 18-year-old Washingtonville man with autism has gone missing

0:23
New Korean-style fried chicken restaurant opens in Mahopac

New Korean-style fried chicken restaurant opens in Mahopac

2:16
New Rochelle teacher receives birthday surprise from students, colleagues

New Rochelle teacher receives birthday surprise from students, colleagues

1:23
Pro-Palestinian demonstrators rally in Irvington during President Biden's visits to Westchester

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators rally in Irvington during President Biden's visits to Westchester

0:26
Hudson Valley communities receive bronze Climate Smart Certification

Hudson Valley communities receive bronze Climate Smart Certification

0:23
Rockland County sues New York state over when elections can be held

Rockland County sues New York state over when elections can be held

0:21
Greenwood Lake Board of Trustees appoints interim mayor

Greenwood Lake Board of Trustees appoints interim mayor

0:23
Police: 18-year-old facing charges in Walden shooting

Police: 18-year-old facing charges in Walden shooting

0:48
President Biden announces future opening of upstate microchip factory

President Biden announces future opening of upstate microchip factory

0:21
Rockland County DA: Haverstraw man pleads guilty in sexual abuse of 2 children

Rockland County DA: Haverstraw man pleads guilty in sexual abuse of 2 children

0:51
Indian Point oversight board, Holtec discuss decommissioning options of former nuclear plant

Indian Point oversight board, Holtec discuss decommissioning options of former nuclear plant

0:47
State police: DNA sample from human remains found does not match profile of missing Putnam teen

State police: DNA sample from human remains found does not match profile of missing Putnam teen

0:31
New mural of Yonkers hip-hop legend Mary J. Blige unveiled at Palisade Towers

New mural of Yonkers hip-hop legend Mary J. Blige unveiled at Palisade Towers