Miami Beach it serious about people following the city's mask mandate. It has already handed out $14,400 worth of fines since July 23, reports the Miami Herald.
Miami Beach started requiring face coverings while out in public on June 30, but the city didn't start issuing tickets until nearly a month later.
"Our rule is simple, you must be wearing a mask in our city,” said Mayor Dan Gelber in a statement when the order first went into effect. “On the street, waiting outside a restaurant, in your condo lobby or at the park—wear it. It's not a political statement, it's just trying to do your part to keep loved ones and neighbors healthy.”
In body camera footage obtained by the newspaper, some of those cited - including a tourist from Louisiana - said they didn't know about the regulations.
As of Monday, 288 people have been fined in Miami Beach, but only four have paid their $50 ticket, the Herald reported. While $50 might not be a hefty fine, mask mandate violators face a $500 fine if they decide skip out on the original ticket. It can also mean a misdemeanor change for disobeying an executive order, which can include up to 60 days in jail.
Neighboring cities and counties are charging violators much more. Miami-Dade County's fine $100 while not wearing a mask in Broward County can mean a $1,000 civil fine per day per violation. In the city of Miami, the first and second violations are $100 apiece, but the consequence for a third violation is an arrest.
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