Update: Tuolumne County Sheriff And Sonora Police Chief Respond To New COVID-19 Curfew

Update at 5:45 p.m.: Regarding the new coronavirus limited stay at home order curfew imposed by the state, Sonora Police Chief Turu VanderWiel reports that his department will stick to its same enforcement policy put in place earlier this year,. It mirrors the enforcement policy of the Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Office that advocates education and personal responsibility.

Chief VanderWiel provided the statement below:

“With regard to the Governor’s Limited Stay at Home Order issued yesterday, the Police Department wants to assure the community that our enforcement efforts will remain unmodified.

The Police Department will do our part to help educate and to encourage compliance through nontraditional enforcement methods to the extent possible.

We respect the States Executive Orders and the guidance of our local Health Officer. We ask our community to self-regulate and avoid activities that counteract efforts designed to keep our neighborhoods healthy.

Our commitment to public safety remains our highest priority, and we will continue to concentrate our efforts on issues relating to crime and the prevention of criminal activity.”

Sheriff’s Bill Pooley’s response can be viewed below.

Original post at 1:25 p.m.: Sonora, CA – Tuolumne County Sheriff Bill Pooley responds to the new coronavirus limited stay at home order curfew imposed by the state.

As reported here yesterday, all counties in the purple or “widespread” risk level tier 1 were slapped with an overnight curfew for non-essential businesses that last for a month.

In a written statement below, Sheriff Pooley detailed what his department’s approach will be to enforcing the new order.

“Yesterday afternoon the governor issued a limited stay at home order. We understand the order and respect the authority of executive orders; however, this executive order will not change any aspect of how the Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Office provides safety and security to our community.

Throughout the pandemic, the Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Office and Public Health have taken an education first approach with regard to the public health orders. We will continue to educate and encourage everyone to make the best decisions to keep themselves and their families safe.

Deputies will not be responding to requests for face-coverings, social gatherings, or pandemic related curfews. We will be focusing on patrol operations to prevent criminal activity and preserve the safety of our community.”

-Sheriff Bill Pooley