Crackdown expected on masks

Wave of recent enforcement aims to slow spread of coronavirus outbreak

The cops and code enforcers are watching, ready to fine anyone who isn’t following the coronavirus rules.

That’s the message from more and more communities in South Florida this week. Adding to a wave of recent enforcement efforts to slow the spread of the virus, city of Miami Mayor Francis Suarez said Tuesday that the city has started cracking down on wearing masks.

A team of 39 police officers will be dedicated solely to enforcing mask violations. Miami officers will fine people $50 for not wearing their masks the first time, $100 for the second offense and $500 for the third violation. Any additional offense could lead to being arrested.

Here’s what’s underway with enforcement across South Florida.

Broward County

Broward County residents can expect an increased police and code enforcement presence this week, all of them enforcing the county’s emergency orders, said Broward County Mayor Dale Holness.

Over the weekend, 40 businesses countywide were closed for not following the orders, Holness said. In Hollywood alone, officials closed 11 businesses and issued warnings to people without masks on, he said.

Holness said he discussed stricter enforcement on a conference call with city mayors Tuesday morning and anticipates that Broward County “will see stepped up law enforcement and code enforcement across the board.”

“There will be fines issued. There will be businesses closed, warnings. We’ll do what we need to do to protect the people of Broward County. We’re hoping that these measures that we’ve put in place are followed so we don’t have to shut businesses down again,” Holness said.

Violators of the county’s curfew or emergency orders could face civil and criminal penalties, Holness said Friday when he announced the start of a nighttime curfew. These penalties could include fines starting at $500 and up to six months in jail, depending on the circumstances.

And the Broward Sheriff ’s Office will be focused on shutting down the large parties cropping up throughout the county, Holness said, already having shut down five parties over the week

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Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis said Fort Lauderdale has not planned to match Miami’s level of enforcement for those not wearing masks, citing a “significant leveling off of infections” in Fort Lauderdale.

“We’re hoping we don’t have to get to that point where we have to go up to individuals and cite them for not wearing a mask,” Trantalis said.

“The one takeaway from [the mayor’s call] today was that we just need to enhance enforcement, not so much to add more rules but to enforce the rules that we already have,” Trantalis said.

WILFREDO LEE/AP A construction worker rides a scooter past a mural by Hiero Veiga of billionaire businessman Moishe Mana, left, and City of Miami Mayor Francis X. Suarez wearing masks July 13 in the Wynwood Arts District of Miami.