People who fail to wear face coverings in crowded parts of City could be cited and fined
The City of Hermosa Beach announced today that additional personnel will join the Hermosa Beach Police Department (HBPD) beginning Saturday to enforce the urgency ordinance the City Council approved last week that requiring face coverings anytime people are in the more crowded parts of the City. The ordinance also imposed administrative fines for violations.
The City is adding up to four additional health ordinance enforcement officers from a private consulting firm to assist the HBPD in enforcing the City’s urgency ordinance. The ordinance requires face coverings at all times in Downtown Hermosa Beach, Pier Plaza, all City Parks, the Strand, Greenbelt and Beach when out of the water.
The urgency ordinance defines Downtown Hermosa Beach as the area bounded by 10th Street on the south, 14th Street on the north, the Strand on the west and Hermosa Avenue on the east. It also includes Upper Pier Avenue from Hermosa Avenue to Valley Drive. Fines for violating the face mask requirements are $100 for the first offense, $200 for a second offense and $500 for all subsequent offenses within a 12-month period.
“We welcome this additional assistance to help us enforce measures that can save lives and help us continue to re-open our local economy and businesses,” said Police Chief Paul LeBaron. “Protecting public safety is the Hermosa Beach Police Department’s first priority, and increased crowds and activity in our City, especially during the summer, require our officers to focus on criminal activity and nuisance behaviors that can jeopardize public safety.”
From July 30 to August 3, for instance, the Hermosa Beach Police Department had 299 calls for service and 14 arrests. The Police Department also prepared 34 reports, which require a significant amount of time for the officers involved. The arrests included one subject from Lancaster for possession of illegal narcotics and materials to distribute and sell narcotics, one subject from Torrance for possession of a stolen bicycle and another subject from Torrance for possession of illegal narcotics and stolen property.
The health ordinance enforcement officers will focus on the crowded areas in Hermosa Beach that were included in the urgency ordinance the City Council adopted July 28. The urgency ordinance reinforces L.A. County and State Public Health Orders requiring face coverings be worn when a person cannot maintain a physical distance of at least 6 feet from non-household members. Exceptions to the requirements to wear a face mask when unable to maintain physical distance and when people are in crowded parts of the City include:
- When a person is eating or drinking or engaged in swimming or other water activities
- Children younger than age 2
- Those instructed not to wear a cloth face covering by a medical provider are also exempt from wearing one. Individuals who are exempt from wearing a face covering due to a medical condition and who are employed in a job involving regular contact with others must wear a non-restrictive alternative, such as a face shield with a drape on the bottom edge, as long as their medical condition permits it. A drape that is form fitting under the chin is preferred.
- Persons who are hearing impaired, or communicating with a person who is hearing impaired, where the ability to see the mouth is essential for communication.
About Hermosa Beach
Founded in 1907, Hermosa Beach is a thriving community of some 20,000 residents. Located on the southern end of the Santa Monica Bay in Los Angeles County, with beaches ranked among the best in the world, Hermosa Beach has been recognized for its work to highlight Southern California beach culture, foster a vibrant local economy and protect coastal and environmental resources.