City continues measured response to public gatherings

By Doug Spoon, Editor

Menifee’s city manager said today that City code enforcement officers are issuing warnings to people gathering in groups in local places, but that self-enforcement by individuals was necessary to most effectively slow the spread of the coronavirus.

In a phone interview with Menifee 24/7, Armando Villa said code enforcement officers this week ordered the two golf courses in the city to close. Playground areas in local parks have been roped off, but at this time there is no further closure of public places.

“We’re not necessarily having a heavy-handed approach right now,” Villa said. “Code enforcement is driving around and if they see people gathering in groups, they give them a paper with the order [regarding restrictions]. We haven’t felt the need to issue citations yet. When we contact people and they see we’re serious, they disperse.”

This interview was conducted about three hours before the announcement from County health officials that eight Menifee residents have tested positive for COVID-19. The list, which is available on the Riverside County Health Department website here, shows most cities in Riverside County has reported cases of the coronavirus.

Villa acknowledged there has been pressure from the public on county health officials to list the cities where individuals have tested positive for COVID-19. He said that he didn't believe knowledge of this would change the government’s response, because higher numbers were expected. Whether it creates even more panic remains to be seen.

“Will more detailed information change anything? Probably just create more panic,” Villa said. “The response will continue to be the same. We knew the numbers would go up with more testing. We’ll have to manage that chaos.”

Villa acknowledged receiving complaints from residents that people continue to gather in groups of more than 10. Considering the City’s limited resources for enforcing the order, he said a system may be needed in which residents can inform local officials of such offenses as they see them.

“I think that for the most part, since the order was given, people have been complying,” Villa said. “Yes, we are getting reports that some are not complying 100 percent. We may have to look at that situation more as we go.”

Villa said there is no plan to have Sheriff’s deputies enforce the social distancing order.

“The Sheriffs are more worried about social unrest,” he said. “They are referring some complaints to the health department.

“I think people are just not connected enough to know how severe this is. We give people a copy of the order and say, ‘Oh, we didn’t know.’ We keep telling people, use social distance and wash your hands. You have the key.”

Villa said there is no city curfew in effect, although minors out on the streets after 10 p.m. are subject to questioning by police.

The city manager also addressed the concern expressed by some about the safety of food being delivered or handed out curbside by restaurants. Residents have told Menifee 24/7 they have witnessed restaurant employees who are wearing gloves handling money, debit cards and touching other surfaces, then touching food and dealing with the next customer without changing gloves.

This concern was raised during a televised news conference in Los Angeles County today as well. A health official admitted it is a concern and that resources for monitoring the situation are limited.

“The City is not monitoring that,” Villa said. “We do not have the resources to do so. We are being told that the health department is sending out additional inspectors to conduct random checks.

“One of the difficult decisions state and county officials had was whether to determine restaurants an essential service. They realize people have to eat, and with a shortage of food at grocery stores, people are turning to restaurants for food.

“The government has take a calculated approach to all this. I wouldn’t be surprised if they ratchet up more rigid orders, but they’re trying to keep a balance. Here in Menifee, we have 90,000 people who still need to deal with the tasks of daily life.”