Cops Days Away From Fining Social Distance Violators, Mayor Says

NEW YORK, NY – Mayor Bill de Blasio is threatening to get tough on people who don't social distance. Speaking on Friday, he said those who fail to stay six feet apart from others may soon face a penalty — and he's asking for New Yorkers to report violators.

During an interview on the Brian Lehrer Show on WNYC, the mayor encouraged people to call 311 if they experience groups of people not adhering to social distancing standards – for example if they see people congregating in parks, if a grocery store is too full, or if there is a line outside of a pharmacy where people are crowded together.

"Call 311, that will lead to NYPD being alerted or Parks Department or Fire Department, whoever's got people nearest to come over and break it up," he said.

While people are learning more about the importance of social distancing every day, there is the potential enforcement could get tougher.

"They're getting educated constantly by the media, but you know, the next step of course would be to up the ante and bring penalties into play if we have to do that and that may be just days away if we don't see people handle it better," he said.

At a press conference on March 25, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo highlighted the issue of people playing basketball at courts throughout the city.

"If you're a kid or adult who just wants to shoot hoops yourself, single, solitary, you can do that," he said. "If you're a family that people live under the same roof and you want to play with each other on the basketball court, that's fine.

"But what's not fine anymore is any kind of basketball game between people who do not live under the same roof because, let's face it, it's a contact sport, people are going to get close together, it creates a danger."

De Blasio said the city will be removing basketball hoops from 80 courts around the city where, even after repeated attempts to enforce social distancing, officials still found large groups congregating. There are 1,700 courts in New York City.

Crowding in public spaces during the "stay-at-home" order has increasingly become an issue across the city, including at Prospect Park. Ignoring the order is arrogant, insensitive and a mistake, according to Gov. Cuomo. Last weekend, Cuomo took time out of his press conference to directly address people who were still going to the parks.

"So you're not Superman and you're not Superwoman, you can get this virus," he said. "And you can transfer the virus and you can wind up hurting someone who you love or hurting someone wholly inadvertently."

As a street closure pilot program begins Friday and is schedule to last through the weekend, police will be stationed on the corners of the closed streets to ensure social distancing recommendations are being followed.