Since July, the Moscow Police Department (MPD) has worked to enforce Mayor Bill Lambert’s order regarding face coverings. As the academic year begins for the University of Idaho, however, both university officials and MPD are working on how to enforce this order on campus and in the community.
According to the Moscow Public Health Emergency Order 20-03, “every person in the city of Moscow must wear a face covering that covers their nose and mouth when in any indoor or outdoor public setting where the six foot physical distancing is not able to be maintained with non-household members,” with the exception of children under five years old, incarcerated individuals or those with a medical condition or disability preventing them from wearing a face covering. The order began July 1, but has been extended to Oct. 6 with Resolution 2020-17.
Before students returned to Moscow, UI created the Healthy Vandal Pledge to inform students, staff and faculty of the university’s expectations regarding health and safety standards.
The pledge states “all faculty, staff, students and visitors across all (UI) locations must use face coverings whenever in any (UI) building” and in outdoor settings where social distancing cannot be maintained, unless the individual is working alone in an enclosed space, in an office with social distancing constantly maintained, in an exercise or dining facility or in a space with adequate barriers.
As students arrived in Moscow, UI Dean of Students Blaine Eckles, MPD Campus Captain Tyson Berrett and UI Director of Security Bruce Lovell visited students who had hosted social events. These conversations were cordial and helped the students understand the importance of their behavior, Eckles said. This was partially in response to concerns with off-campus parties as students returned.
“Not every time someone has a violation will it ever reach (the Dean of Students Office),” Eckles said. “Discipline starts with education. It starts with a ‘hey, you’re not wearing your mask. Do you mind wearing your mask?’ We get great compliance that way.”
So far, both MPD and UI have used an education first style of enforcing face covering mandates. MPD Captain James Fry said while police officers could have issued citations about the mask order as soon as it was implemented, officers have instead reminded citizens of the order and requested compliance. Now, MPD is moving towards verbal and written warnings. If non-compliance continues over time, the department could issue citations over the ordinance.
“(Officers) could have issued a citation from day one,” Fry said. “But we leave that up to the discretion of the officer because every situation is different.”
Violations of the mask order would be considered a misdemeanor citation. Fines for first violations are $257.50, second violations are $357.50 and third violations are $557.50. Arrests are another possible consequence of breaking the city mask order, but this would be a last resort. A judge could issue jail time on any violation if deemed necessary.
Most infractions in the community so far have occurred around midday and dinner time in downtown, Fry said. However, most community member and student infractions have been due to forgetfulness, not maliciousness, both Fry and Eckles said.
According to Eckles, students found in violation of the city mask order off campus could receive disciplinary action through the university as well. Repeat offenders of the campus mask order could also receive disciplinary action if the Dean of Students Office deems it necessary.
“The Student Code of Conduct applies to behavior both on and off campus, so students can be found in violation of the Student Code of Conduct when they’re in violation of city, state or federal laws and ordinances,” Eckles said. “So, we work closely with the city of Moscow. They give us their police reports, they give us the information for students that are in violation of the city and state laws and we like to hold them accountable as well.”
Lex Miller can be reached at [email protected]
Brett Moore
The University of Idaho, Blaine Eckles and C. Scott Green are all jokes. Eckles and Green have failed every student as leaders and should be ashamed of themselves.