Woman Calls Milford Police About Neighbors Not Wearing Masks

MILFORD, MA — On Monday, a Milford Board of Health order on face coverings went into effect, and it includes penalties in some limited cases.

On Wednesday night, a Milford woman tried to get police involved in the face covering issue, calling them three different times to report that her neighbors were out in their yard not wearing coverings — and that the neighbors "did not belong" in Milford.

The dispute happened in a neighborhood near Lawrence and Quinlan streets near Milford Regional Medical Center. The first call came in around 5:30 p.m., and ended with the woman screaming and making "derogatory statements about her neighbors" when she was told police wouldn't come, according to a dispatch log.

She called back 7 minutes later to complain again, this time telling a dispatcher that her neighbors "did not belong here." She called again at 6 p.m. with the same complaint and was "screaming incoherently," according to the police log. Milford police did not respond.

The Milford Board of Health order does not cover private areas, like homes and backyards.

"All members of the public aged 5 years of age and older entering any essential business ... including but not limited to grocery stores, pharmacies, home improvement stores and the like must wear a cloth face covering, such as a fabric mask, scarf or bandana, over his or her nose and mouth," the order says. "All members of the public aged 5 years of age and older entering a restaurant for the purpose of picking up food for take-out must wear a face covering over their nose and mouth."

The order applies when "entering or exiting a residential or commercial building complex of greater than one (1) unit."

The order also requires employees at essential businesses to wear masks. Businesses can face a fine up to $100 if employees are found in violation of the order, according to the Board of Health. But the order does not describe penalties for members of the public.