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

GREENWICH, CT — A week after First Selectman Fred Camillo ordered all parks and beaches in Greenwich closed to help mitigate the spread of the new coronavirus, Greenwich Police received nearly a dozen reports of people at parks in town, according to police. Additionally, a town resident was charged with trespassing for climbing over a fence to get into Greenwich Point, police said.

Lt. Mark Zuccerella said police received 11 reports of people at town parks and playgrounds over the weekend, including kids playing and others simply walking.

Zuccerella said no fines were issued. Instead, each person was "advised and educated on the need to social distance" and parks needing to be cleared, Zuccerella said. (To sign up for Greenwich breaking news alerts and more, click here.)

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

On March 22, Camillo said the closure of the town's parks and beaches will be effective 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.

"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 Monday afternoon, 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 Monday. "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: 137 Residents Test Positive

• Greenwich Coronavirus: All Town Parks And Beaches To Close
  
• Greenwich Coronavirus Updates: List Of Events Canceled, Postponed
• Greenwich Coronavirus Updates: Budget Meetings Rescheduled
• Greenwich Coronavirus Updates: Schools Shorten Spring Break

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.