Students violating Gov. Mike DeWine’s stay-at-home order by having mass gatherings will no longer receive warnings before being issued citations. Credit: Casey Cascaldo | Managing Editor for Multimedia
Students violating Gov. Mike DeWine’s stay-at-home order by having mass gatherings will no longer receive warnings before being issued citations.
In a news release Wednesday posted to Twitter by Columbus Police, Columbus City Attorney Zach Klein said that despite warnings, large gatherings continue to occur — particularly in the University District and short-term rentals. Columbus Police’s original policy was to warn those in violation about potential sanctions before citing them, but Klein said warnings are “no longer enough.”
“To address this community-wide health emergency, we need community-wide compliance,” Klein said in the release.
The decision comes after a universitywide email sent April 7 by University Police Chief Kimberly Spears-McNatt and Columbus Chief of Police Thomas Quinlan reminding students that large groups likely violate the stay-at-home order — which DeWine extended until May 1. In addition to recommending social distancing, the order prohibits all gatherings of non-household members.
Columbus Police received 10 complaints April 3-5 about gatherings occurring in the University District. Sgt. James Fuqua, Columbus Police public information officer, previously said that if gatherings continued, there would be “severe consequences.”
In a universitywide email Wednesday, Molly Hegarty, managing director of Student Legal Services, notified students of Klein’s statement and of potential consequences of violating the order.
“Columbus Police may turn these citation records over to the Office of Student Conduct, resulting in additional penalties from the university,” Hegarty said. She also said that charges will be on students’ criminal records for at least a year before they can be sealed.
Fuqua said Wednesday that Columbus Police is committed to following Klein’s directions, and that this shift should not come as a surprise.
“Now we are taking the natural progression to more aggressive enforcement for everyone’s safety,” Fuqua said.
Those found violating the order will be charged with second degree misdemeanors, the release states. Second degree misdemeanors carry a maximum penalty of $750 fine and 90 days in jail, Columbus Police Deputy Chief Michael Woods said in a statement.
Hegarty said that though Columbus Police plans on only issuing court summons, the police are prepared to arrest students who fail or refuse to properly identify themselves.
Students cited for violating the stay-at-home order can schedule a phone appointment with SLS at https://studentlegal.osu.edu/.
This story was updated at 4:53 p.m. with information from Student Legal Services.
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