Due to the rise in COVID-19 cases in California, Governor Gavin Newsom announced Thursday, November 19 that he would be issuing a limited stay at home order.
The order calls for non-essential work and gatherings to cease from 10:00 P.M. to 5:00 A.M. in counties that are currently in the purple tier.
Many Central Valley counties, including Fresno County, are under purple tier restrictions but local law enforcement agencies say they will not be enforcing the limited stay at home order.
Fresno, Tulare, Kings, and Merced County's law enforcement have all expressed disinterest enforcing these new COVID-19 rules.
"We are not going to make criminals out of normally law-abiding citizens," said Fresno County Sheriff Margaret Mims. "We have got our hands full with crime, real crime issues and this is not a law enforcement issue."
According to ABC7, Mims said she took part in a phone call with California Office of Emergency Services, California Police Chiefs and Sheriffs on the day the order was announced.
Instead the City of Fresno is asking residents to self-police in compliance with California's new curfew.
"...the City of Fresno is asking our residents to voluntarily comply with the State's limited stay-at-home directive," the city said in an official statement. "Our police department will concentrate on their regular responsibilities to serve and protect the people of Fresno."
Photo: Getty Images