Stay-At-Home Order In Ohio: How Lakewood Is Enforcing The Mandate

LAKEWOOD, OH — Gov. Mike DeWine issued a statewide stay-at-home order, directing Ohioans to only leave their homes for essential reasons and closing non-essential businesses. The mandate went into effect on Monday night, but what will the order mean for Lakewood residents?

There are two groups who have the ability to enforce the stay-at-home order: law enforcement and health departments. DeWine said this week that most enforcement will fall to local police and health departments.

For Lakewood police, education and cooperation are the names of the game.

"We have not received any calls addressing the closure of businesses and have been very fortunate in this regard," a Lakewood police spokesperson said. "We would obviously respond to the location if a call was received and advise the business of the complaint. Enforcement is obviously an option but it would not be our only/first option for these extremely trying times everyone is going through. Every situation is different as you know but so far so good – everyone has been abiding by Gov. DeWine’s orders and doing their part."

Since DeWine's order went out, on Sunday, there has been a significant drop in calls to Lakewood police.

The Board of Health

The Cuyahoga County Board of Health is collecting complaints about companies ignoring the order and logging the information, according to Kevin Brennan, a communications officer for the board.

Officials may dispatch a field agent to talk to a business owner and resolve the complaint.

"We're trying to take a measured approach," Brennan told Patch.

Anyone who wishes to log a complaint with the county board of health should call their main phone number, 216-201-2000. The phone line will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily. Complaints can be submitted anonymously through the county website.