NEWS
Is Anyone Enforcing This?
No draconian police-state here. Elected officials emphasize education and individual responsibility By Laurel Brauns
WWW.BENDSOURCE.COM / MAY 21, 2020 / BEND’S INDEPENDENT VOICE
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ver the last week, local, state and county officials have hosted a slew of virtual press meetings to announce the news that most of Oregon is reopening… albeit with caution. At every level of government, curious reporters have asked the same questions: Who is enforcing the new guidelines? Will people violating the non-essential travel ban face repercussions? Elected officials, from Gov. Kate Brown, to Deschutes County Commissioner Tony DeBone, emphasized education and personal responsibility as the first steps toward enforcing Phase One regulations. Will scofflaws get arrested? “The Governor’s order is enforceable by law enforcement, however, agencies in Central Oregon have reported they are primarily focused on education and outreach about current regulations and would use arrests as a last resort,” read a press release sent Monday by the Central Oregon Emergency Information Network. (See the end of this article for a variety of numbers to call to report violations or ask questions.) “We will continue to follow the guidance from the Governor’s Office by focusing on education and voluntary compliance,” said Deschutes County Sheriff Shane Nelson in an email to the Source. “If a situation, or someone, is putting other’s safety at risk, we will take enforcement action if we don’t gain voluntary compliance.” Lt. Juli McConkey of the Bend Police Department echoed that sentiment: “Our plan is to educate and if we need to, we can send a report to the district attorney and they can determine if they are going to file charges. The last resort would be making an arrest,”
Nicole Vulcan
McConkey told the Source. “We have a lot more important things to do and [need to] respond to 911 calls.” And what does District Attorney John Hummel plan to do with any citations he might see? Hummel said the majority of the community has demonstrated care for “their neighbors” to comply so far, and most people in Deschutes County respect the law, he told the Source. “The few who fail to come into compliance after being asked by law enforcement to do so should be issued citations,” Hummel said. “I stand ready to prosecute offenders identified by local law enforcement officers.” Helping businesses, avoiding forced compliance During a May 8 virtual press conference of city and county leaders, Deschutes County Commissioner Tony DeBone said, “[The main goal] is education…. If we’re in a situation where things are getting out of control, then there is a discussion about what enforcement works, right? [But] that is not the culture we’re trying to set up right now…. Every citizen is going to have to take some personal responsibility, being out in the community, wearing a mask, understanding that this is an unknown generational health emergency that we’re living in in this time.” The Deschutes County Environmental Health department—which is normally responsible for local safety inspections—has moved into high gear with various forms and signage for businesses entering Phase One and staff ready to answer technical questions during regular business hours. Nicole Vulcan
Worthy Brewing Taps & Tacos was one of the many restaurants in downtown Bend to allow sit-down service on Friday. Guests may sit on the patio or at one of the three tables inside spaced for social distancing.
The Downtown Bend Business Association worked during lockdown to help its members change their business models and sell products online. Here, a DBBA staffer puts up new banners encouraging people to shop local.
What about tourism? After the governor loosened restrictions on 29 Oregon counties last week, many people wanted to know how Phase One will affect the state’s non-essential travel ban. The Oregon Health Authority Reopening Guidance from May 16 states: “Stay close to home. Avoid overnight trips and
lockdown. What’s to stop people in the city from escaping to the mountains? “This is up to all of us,” Brown said. “Public law enforcement has really important things to do. I’m not going to be asking them to stop cars that are going to the Coast. I’m asking, I’m encouraging Oregonians to be thoughtful and considerate of others.”
“That is not the culture we’re trying to set up right now…. Every citizen is going to have to take some personal responsibility, being out in the community, wearing a mask, understanding that this is an unknown generational health emergency that we’re living in in this time.” -Deschutes County Commissioner Tony DeBone minimize other non-essential travel, including recreational day trips to destinations outside the community where you live.” When Brown announced limited opening of state recreational areas on May 5, she said that nobody should travel more than 50 miles for outdoor recreation. In tourism communities like Central Oregon and the Oregon Coast, some people worry the reopening announcement may inspire a flood of visitors. Clackamas, Washington and Multnomah counties—which are part of the Greater Portland region—are still on
Dr. Dean Sidelinger, the state’s epidemiologist, said on Thursday that most people have stayed home through lockdown; therefore, he doesn’t expect a huge spike in recreational travel. Traffic data and aggregated cell phone data demonstrated Oregonians were complying, he said. Neither Deschutes County or the City of Bend want local tourism agencies or companies to push out any marketing messages promoting travel to Central Oregon right now. Yet, the county’s temporary ban on shortterm rentals expired May 15. The Bend City Council renewed its advisory
