How the shelter-in-place order affects Santa Rosa police

Chief Ray Navarro explained the order and the changes in a video posted to Facebook.|

ELISSA CHUDWIN

THE PRESS DEMOCRAT

March 19, 2020

How To Reduce Your Risk

Local health officials urge practicing good hygiene to reduce the risk of becoming infected with a respiratory virus, such as the flu or coronavirus. This includes:

• Washing hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds

• Avoid touching your eyes and face

• Cough or sneeze into your sleeved elbow

• Stay home when ill

• Get a flu shot, and it's not too late this season

Source: Sonoma County Department of Health Services

For more information, go to sonomacounty.ca.gov/Health/Information-About-Coronavirus.

Questions or concerns can be directed to the county's 24-hour information hotline at 211 or 800-325-9604. You can also text "COVID19" to 211211 for coronavirus information.

For more stories about the coronavirus, go here.

How the Santa Rosa Police Department prioritizes and responds to calls is changing during Sonoma County's shelter-in-place order.

In a video posted to Facebook Wednesday, Santa Rosa Police Chief Ray Navarro explained how police are enforcing the order and changes they've made to keep officers safe during the coronavirus pandemic.

"I am asking you for voluntary compliance in the interest of community health and safety," Navarro said in the video. "While a violation of the order is a misdemeanor, we would rather focus on priority calls for service."

Temporary changes the police department has made include limiting face-to-face contact to emergency situations, prioritizing crimes against people over crimes against property and closing the police station's lobby to visitors.

"If you call on us and we ask you to step outside your home or essential business to speak to our officers, please know it is for our collective safety," Navarro said in the video.

The department also is requesting that people file police reports online at SRCity.org/ReportACrime.

For more information, watch the video below. Click here to watch it in Spanish.

Police Chief Rainer Navarro Urges Santa Rosans to Follow Health Order, Stay at Home
Santa Rosa joined all of Sonoma County today in an aggressive action to help protect our community from the spread of the coronavirus. Effective March 18th the Sonoma County Public Health Officer ordered residents to Shelter-in-Place, except for a few strictly outlined essential services and activities. Please watch this important message from Santa Rosa Police Chief Rainer Navarro to learn how the Santa Rosa Police Department is responding to the Order and, most importantly, how your cooperation is critical during this public health emergency. Para ver en español: https://www.facebook.com/231222027000335/videos/1619807318178027/ To file a police report online: srcity.org/reportacrime To call non-emergency/dispatch phone number: (707) 528-5222 In an emergency, please call 9-1-1 To read the full text of the County Health Order and view FAQs, visit: socoemergency.org For more information on the City of Santa Rosa’s response to the coronavirus public health emergency, visit SRCity.org/PreventTheSpread.
Posted by Santa Rosa Police on Wednesday, March 18, 2020

The Press Democrat wants to know what stories you see emerging and what you're experiencing locally during the shelter-in-place order. Reach out to us at coronavirus@pressdemocrat.com.