Governor Hogan announced today a wide scale education, compliance, and enforcement effort to assist every jurisdiction with investigating any violation of the restrictions that have been put in place to combat COVID-19. Under this effort, the Maryland State Police (MSP) will expand its COVID-19 Compliance and Coordination Center and deploy “High Visibility Compliance Units” across the State with additional troopers assigned in each county to work in partnership with local governments to investigate reports of violations of the State law.
From the Governor’s press release,
Statewide Compliance, Education, and Enforcement Operation. In addition to the state’s traditional efforts ramping up drunk driving patrols and enforcement ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday, the governor announced the launch of an all-hands-on-deck compliance, education, and enforcement operation.
- The Maryland State Police (MSP) is expanding its COVID-19 Compliance and Coordination Center and deploying ‘High Visibility Compliance Units’ across the state.
- Additional state troopers will be assigned in every county to work in partnership with local leaders, law enforcement, and other county officials with a focus on educating the public about existing orders and protocols, preventing super-spreading events, and taking enforcement actions when necessary.
- These ‘High Visibility Compliance Units’ will be detailed to several downtown areas including Bel Air, Bethesda, Fells Point in Baltimore City, Salisbury, Silver Spring, Towson, and to Allegany County. In addition to bars and restaurants, the operation will focus on venues that host gatherings, including nightclubs and banquet halls.
- This statewide operation will kick off on Wednesday ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday, and continue throughout the holiday season.
The state is also expanding its 24-hour hotline for reporting violations, which can be reached via 833-979-2266 or Prevent.Covid@maryland.gov.
At 5 p.m. on Wednesday, November 25 the Maryland Emergency Management Agency will be sending a wireless critical alert to cell phones to remind people of the prevention measures in effect and provide information on the increased enforcement efforts.
