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State and local government officials calling on residents to report violators of coronavirus safety orders have already come under fire for encouraging tattling.
Now police in Ohio are reporting that they are experiencing an added problem, as people have been “tying up” emergency lines in order to call authorities about neighbors, businesses and others who are suspected of violating the state’s social-distancing orders.
If you have a concern about people not social distancing at bars and restaurants, please call the Lucas County Health Department at 419-213-4161 extension 4. #toledopolice pic.twitter.com/GAQYbLddz4
— Toledo Police (@ToledoPolice) May 19, 2020
The Toledo Police Department’s official Twitter account posted a message Tuesday urging residents to call the Lucas County Health Department, and not the police, to report violators.
“Citizens: We are posting this because people are tying up the 911 lines to report others who are not socially distancing,” a tweet by the Department read. “Our goal is to provide the appropriate number for people to call instead of them calling 911.”
Citizens: We are posting this because people are tying up the 911 lines to report others who are not socially distancing. Our goal is to provide the appropriate number for people to call instead of them calling 911.
— Toledo Police (@ToledoPolice) May 19, 2020
While the Department reportedly had officers responding to fewer burglaries, robberies and vehicle thefts in the month of March as the pandemic began to spread, it now appears police are having to field calls of less dramatic emergencies due to panicked residents feeling the need to report anyone who they feel could pose a health risk.
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine announced Tuesday that the state will be cutting short its stay-at-home orders but the social-distancing rules still apply as restrictions on bars and restaurants, as well as a continued ban on large gatherings, will stay in place as mandatory.
#Ohio‘s bars and restaurants are permitted to reopen for dine-in service tomorrow – if they are able to meet safety guidelines to protect staff and customers.
Find the guidelines here: https://t.co/u5jADjbQa4#ResponsibleRestartOhio#StaySafeOhio#InThisTogetherOhio pic.twitter.com/eQKuDA4nEi
— Governor Mike DeWine (@GovMikeDeWine) May 20, 2020
Just one day before, the Republican governor stressed that the state would use law-enforcement and “all the resources at our disposal” to enforce social distancing at bars and restaurants following reports of crowded locations over the weekend.
The Toledo Police Department’s message to citizens on Monday drew immediate backlash from Twitter users who slammed the people tying up resources to make frivolous “emergency” calls about social distancing.
Please don’t waste my tax dollars calling the police Karen. Just stay inside your home in fear, clutching your pearls, while you watch MSNBC & CNN triggering you into an early grave; k thx.
— Sophia Eris (@CrimsonDKnight) May 20, 2020
— Marc Warrington (@GulfCoastMarc) May 20, 2020
Gotta love all the Karens (commie wannabes) trying to report their neighbors, practicing to be good little communists. These are the type of people who should get the #MussoliniTreatment
— Terry Maan-Keechoot (@keechoot) May 20, 2020
It’s called the snitch line. All liberals that want to maintain authoritarian rule over the people call this number.
— Huggy Bear 🇺🇸🇨🇺🇭🇳 (@TonyTorre305) May 20, 2020
How about they just mind their own business!
— Kevin Chaney (@kchaney56) May 20, 2020
POLICE STATE!! Who do you call if you have ‘concerns’ about the people calling?? WTH
— Irish_Eyes (@ironcladdad32) May 19, 2020
WOW. Next thing is going to be tag your it. I’m not it because I was in the safe Zone. Grow up America
— Christopher Lewis (@chris24car) May 19, 2020
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Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida where she has been writing for the BizPacReview team since 2015.
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