Santa Monica Police Announce They Will Fine People Who Get Caught Violating Stay at Home Orders

The Santa Monica Police Department will begin issuing citations and fines to people who are caught violating Governor Gavin Newsom’s Stay at Home order.

Fines will be issued to both individuals and businesses who resist the order. 

“Our first priority is to remind and educate the public when they are not following our local orders,” Santa Monica City Manager Rick Cole told the Santa Monica Mirror. “However, it’s important for people to know that our local orders include the ability to fine individuals and businesses that do not abide voluntarily.”

The Mirror reports that City officers are authorized to issue administrative citations to enforce emergency orders issued to date as follows:

• Revised First Supplement to the Executive Order (Temporary Moratorium on Residential and Commercial Evictions) – $1000 per violation
• Second Supplement to the Executive Order (Pier Closure) – for individuals: $100 for first violation, $250 for second violation within one year, $500 for third or subsequent violations within one year; for violations by businesses: $500 for first violation, $750 for second violation within one year, $1000 for third or subsequent violations within one year
• Third Supplement to the Executive Order (Business Closure) – $500 for first violation, $750 for second violation within one year, $1000 for third or subsequent violations within one year
• Eighth Supplement to the Executive Order (Stay at Home / Safer at Home Orders) – for individuals: $100 for first violation, $250 for second violation within one year, $500 for third or subsequent violations within one year; for violations by businesses: $500 for first violation, $750 for second violation within one year, $1000 for third or subsequent violations within one year

Along with the governor’s order, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health issued a “Safer at Home” order last week and the City of Santa Monica issued a local order adopting orders from both the state and the county. Police are advised to follow whichever orders are strictest at the time, unless directly told otherwise.

Under the rules, residents are forced to stay home and away from anyone who is not in their immediate family unless it is part of an “essential activity.” Gatherings of more than 10 people are prohibited.” People can still go to the grocery store, pharmacy and medical appointments. Walks and ride bikes are also allowed in permitted areas,” the Mirror reports.

As of Saturday afternoon, there had been 16 cases of the Chinese coronavirus in Santa Monica.