COLUMBUS – Frustrated by campus-area partiers, Airbnb renters and other groups gathering despite state-issues directives to maintain social distancing in the face of the coronavirus pandemic, Columbus City Attorney Zach Klein is telling Columbus police of skip the warnings and start writing tickets.
“To stop more reckless and selfish conduct, I’m recommending that CPD issue citations to any individuals who defy the state’s order prohibiting large gatherings,” Klein said in a release Wednesday.
CRACK DOWN ON LARGE GATHERINGS:
News release from @CityAttyKlein pic.twitter.com/lvhwrcHTNQ
— Columbus Division of Police (@ColumbusPolice) April 15, 2020
Police officers have been called to house parties in the OSU area and responded to two separate reports of large gatherings at short-term rental properties on the South Side over the weekend where more than 30 people were involved.
Chief Quinlan shares the same goal as City Attorney Klein of working together to deal with large gatherings. Officers will exercise discretion when deciding if and when to file charges against an individual when probable cause exists that a violation of law is occurring. The ultimate goal is finding a balance that best protects our community from anyone that might act in a way that violates the order causing potential health risks to themselves or others. -Columbus Division of Police statement
“Warnings are no longer enough,” Klein said and issued revised guidance recommend that officers issue citations charging people in violation of the state health department’s orders with violating a health directive, a second-degree misdemeanor under Ohio law, punishable by a sentence of up to 90 days in jail or a $750 fine.
Health director Dr. Amy Acton’s order prohibits holding gatherings of 10 or more people, with some exceptions.
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Inmates at Franklin County’s two jails will now be arraigned by video, rather than in-person, to further guard prisoners, staff and other personnel against coronavirus infection.
An unprecedented change at the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas where inmates are facing the court via video link. The technology allows for more social distancing for both inmates and staff at both FCSO correctional facilities. pic.twitter.com/lFZBZHPdhu
— Franklin County Sheriff’s Office (@OHFCSO) April 15, 2020
The Franklin County Court of Common Pleas successfully completed the first-ever video arraignments with three defendants on Monday and Sheriff Dallas Baldwin says the Franklin County Municipal Court is working to establish its video arraignments
Designated locations at each jail are now equipped to allow inmates to first consult with their attorney through private video conferencing before facing the court via video.
The court has also reduced the arraignment hearings schedule to three days a week, Baldwin said.