Malibu Moves Slowly To Join Compton – Will Consider Enforcing Mask Rules With Fines
Written by 991KBU on August 12, 2020
Compton and Claremont are enforcing mask rules now … with fines for not wearing masks in public.
Malibu is moving slowly and cautiously towards a mask ordinance.
Despite the fact that cities all around Malibu have enacted fines for failure to wear a mask in public. … Malibu is inching towards such an ordinance with no sense of urgency at all.
A vociferous opposition from a small number of Malibu residents.
Hamish Patterson has been a persistant loud voice against the L A County health orders.
Monday night … he railed at the city council for considering fines … against people who refuse to wear face masks in Malibu.
NEWSCART 75761 MASKS HAMISH
“You guys should be talking about how get our community healthy … about how to get our immune system’s healthy if you truly believe were at risk.
“You should be mandating the city release information about how to get your body healthy.
“Not putting a face diaper over your face.”
And after making that argument … that face masks are diapes … that argument was endorsed by one city council member … Rick Mullen.
NEWSCART 75762 MASKS MULLEN
“I have to say I’m kind of not really in favor of this. I think you know Hamish makes some good point.
“I think everyone is pretty well-educated on what the risks are … who’s at risk … and the methods of transmission etc.”
In the end … Mullen was the only vote against a proposal to have the city attorney to write up a proposed ordinanced … for consideration later this year.
The governor has ordered all Californians to wear face coverings.
But he left it up to local jurisdictions to come up with ordiannces to set up enforcement … including fines.
Los Angeles .. Santa Monica … Calabasas … even Compton … have all enacted fines … of up to 500 dollars .. for not wearing masks.
Malibu .. still paralyzed from action.
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No such debate in Santa Monica …
Last week … Santa Monica issued ten citations and 33 warnings during a “special operation” to enforce the City’s face covering order in public parks and business districts.
City enforcers visited 533 businesses, and issued seven citations, officials said. Three citations — with fines starting at $100 — were issued to individuals in public spaces.
It wasn’t police officers who made the inspections.
They were led by city zoning code enforcement officers … with support from Public Services Officers in the Police Department,.
are similar to those conducted to enforce local electric scooter laws, said Constance Farrell, the City’s spokesperson.
Since March 17th , Santa Monica code enforcement workers have had completed 23,093 business checks and issued 88 citations and 91 stop work orders to local businesses for various COVID-19 violations, the City reported late last month.
