Greenwich Coronavirus Updates: More Warnings Issued At Parks

GREENWICH, CT — Police said they issued more warnings reminding people to stay out of the town's parks over the weekend as Greenwich, and the state, continues to grapple with the new coronavirus. According to Lt. Mark Zuccerella, five warnings in total were issued to stay out of the parks within that weekend time frame.

A week prior, Zuccerella said police received 11 reports of people at town parks and playgrounds during the weekend of March 28, including kids playing and others simply walking. Zuccerella said no fines were issued and each person was instead "advised and educated on the need to social distance" and parks needing to be cleared.

See also: People Found In Parks, Advised To Social Distance: Greenwich PD

Additionally, a Greenwich resident was issued a misdemeanor summons for third-degree criminal trespassing on March 27 after a caretaker caught him climbing over a fence at Greenwich Point to enter the park, Zuccerella said.

On March 22, First Selectman Fred Camillo issued an order that closed the town's parks and beaches until further notice to help mitigate the spread of the virus, also referred to as COVID-19. The closure includes tennis courts, basketball courts, playgrounds, ball fields, school grounds and open spaces. Bathrooms at all recreational facilities are also closed. (To sign up for Greenwich breaking news alerts and more, click here.)

"This is a decision I did not make lightly," Camillo said in a statement on March 22. "Our parks are being overwhelmed by visitors who are not practicing social distancing. This is a national public health emergency. While it is good for people to enjoy the outdoors and exercise, to do so in such large numbers presents the possibility of a widespread outbreak of the coronavirus."

During a press update last week, Camillo again emphasized that all town parks and beaches, as well as marinas and the Griffith E. Harris Golf Course, remain closed to the public, and Greenwich Police are "taking enforcement measures with violators."

The first selectman also reminded residents that anyone "concerned about an activity or a group not following guidelines issued through COVID-19 related executive orders and emergency declarations" can call the Greenwich Police Department's non-emergency phone number at 203-622-8004.

"This is not meant to be a tattle-tale phone line," Police Chief James Heavey said in a statement last week. "This line is for reporting the congregation of people and other non-emergency COVID-related calls. This phone line is not for seeking information about COVID-19."

See also: Greenwich Coronavirus Updates: 212 Residents Test Positive

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COVID-19 is caused by a member of the coronavirus family that's a close cousin to the SARS and MERS viruses that have caused outbreaks in the past.