PEORIA, Ill. — Gov. J-B Pritzker’s Shelter in Place order, announced Friday, went into effect at 5 p.m. Saturday.
The order is affecting not only the state’s residents and businesses, but also first responders and police as well.
Peoria Police Chief Loren Marion told WMBD’s Greg and Dan, the department isn’t focused on making arrests regarding non-essential businesses during the governor’s order.
“If we find someone that is deliberately violating it, there is a process that we could go through. But, we’re not going to make a custodial arrest for simply violating the order,” Marion said.
Marion said the PPD would rather focus on compliance…informing people what they can and cannot do during the governor’s order.
Marion said the PPD is currently minimizing exposure to the coronavirus for its officers with social distancing, protective gear and not performing roll call at the start of each shift.
“Officers are allowed to use that extra time to clean their vehicles,” Marion said.
In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, the Peoria Police Department is also streamlining calls by taking non-emergency calls over the phone, limiting exposure.
