FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 30, 2020
MEDIA CONTACTS
Tanisha Jumper, Media and Communications,tjumper@cityoftacoma.org, (253) 591-5152
Maria Lee, Media and Communications, maria.lee@cityoftacoma.org, (253) 591-2054
TACOMA, Wash. -- "We each have a critical responsibility in stopping the spread of COVID-19 and preventing unnecessary deaths in Tacoma and across the nation. Governor Jay Inslee’s ‘Stay Home, Stay Healthy’ order includes vital actions that we all must take to protect one another and preserve public health. I am calling on each and every member of our community to exercise the personal discipline needed to prevent our medical system from being overwhelmed.
I want to support Tacoma Police Chief Don Ramsdell by reiterating his request: Please do not call 911 to report violations of the Governor’s order, social distancing violations, or people being outside. We must continue to reserve 911 for people who need immediate emergency assistance. To learn how to best report crime and other issues, visit cityoftacoma.org/reportcrime or you can visit the State of Washington’s website – coronavirus.wa.gov – to report a violation. The Tacoma Police Department believes our community understands the severity of the situation. They recognize that people need to get groceries, pick up medicines, visit the doctor, or engage in other essential activities. When officers encounter someone who is not complying with the order, they know that they have an important role to play in reminding them of the restrictions in place, but they will not be actively seeking out individuals failing to comply with the order and they have no desire to make arrests for violations.
Make your choices today and each day going forward with deep personal accountability and compassion for all the neighbors whose lives you may unintentionally impact. Every indication tells us that this will be a long road and that things will get worse before they get better, but we are stronger together. We can each find ways to care for one another in this critical time. The City of Tacoma stands by you in this time of uncertainty, and we continue to innovate, adapt, and seek ways to meet community needs and concerns related to this worldwide pandemic as they emerge.”
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