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 1,485 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
2:06
STORM Academy basketball coach recalls teen fatally shot in Bridgeport

STORM Academy basketball coach recalls teen fatally shot in Bridgeport

2:08
Rain is on the way for tonight and early Saturday, warmer temps on the way

Rain is on the way for tonight and early Saturday, warmer temps on the way

0:25
New Haven PD releases form to better serve individuals with disabilities during emergencies

New Haven PD releases form to better serve individuals with disabilities during emergencies

2:33
Nearly 100-year-old time capsule discovered by Norwalk demo crew

Nearly 100-year-old time capsule discovered by Norwalk demo crew

2:25
CT partnering with other states to regulate artificial intelligence

CT partnering with other states to regulate artificial intelligence

0:35
Tesla recalling nearly 4,000 Cybertrucks because accelerator pedal can get stuck

Tesla recalling nearly 4,000 Cybertrucks because accelerator pedal can get stuck

1:02
Broadway star takes over Fairfield SHU Community Theatre

Broadway star takes over Fairfield SHU Community Theatre

1:14
Early morning fire displaces 5 people in Bridgeport

Early morning fire displaces 5 people in Bridgeport

1:50
FBI on alert for potential threats in Connecticut amid Middle East tensions

FBI on alert for potential threats in Connecticut amid Middle East tensions

0:29
Police: Ansonia man arrested for inappropriate messages to 13-year-old boy

Police: Ansonia man arrested for inappropriate messages to 13-year-old boy

0:21
Officials probe suspicious death of Bridgeport man found in Massachusetts house

Officials probe suspicious death of Bridgeport man found in Massachusetts house

0:29
Thousands of dollars’ worth of jewelry stolen during smash-and-grab robbery at Trumbull Mall

Thousands of dollars’ worth of jewelry stolen during smash-and-grab robbery at Trumbull Mall

1:55
The Real Deal: How tipping trends have changed in the tri-state area

The Real Deal: How tipping trends have changed in the tri-state area

0:54
Guide: How to host Passover on a budget

Guide: How to host Passover on a budget

Is your mom awesome? Connecticut tell us why your Mom Rocks!

Is your mom awesome? Connecticut tell us why your Mom Rocks!

2:34
Bridgeport sexual assault survivor shares story during Sexual Assault Awareness Month

Bridgeport sexual assault survivor shares story during Sexual Assault Awareness Month

2:11
Milford business owner loses house and dog in fire; effort to help underway

Milford business owner loses house and dog in fire; effort to help underway

2:27
17-year-old dies from gunshot to head, becomes Bridgeport’s 4th homicide victim this year

17-year-old dies from gunshot to head, becomes Bridgeport’s 4th homicide victim this year

2:17
Renters push for ban on 'no cause' evictions, but CT lawmakers are wary

Renters push for ban on 'no cause' evictions, but CT lawmakers are wary

2:05
Monroe police say they have person of interest in nearly 50-year-old cold case

Monroe police say they have person of interest in nearly 50-year-old cold case