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

WESTLAKE, 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 Westlake 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 Westlake police, enforcement means education.

"Our officers are not out stopping people just to see where they are going or why they are out. We will enforce traffic and criminal laws as normal. If we run across someone on a traffic stop for example we will try to educate on what the governor's order means and why it is important for the person to abide - for the good of the community," a Westlake police spokesperson told Patch.

Police will also respond to complaints about businesses or persons who are ignoring the order. However, officers will be issuing warnings in these early days to try and change behavior.

"If we find that a business or individual is a repeat offender then we will take a report and confer with our law department/prosecutor," the spokesperson said. "Charges can be sought. We do not plan on physically arresting anyone unless there is an acute danger to the person, others or our officers."

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.