By: Luke Matheson
The Pine Bluff City Council unanimously passed an ordinance Monday afternoon to enforce a curfew due to the COVID-19 crisis within the city. The curfew prohibits all non-essential travel between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m.
Citizens are permitted to be out during the curfew hours if they are traveling to or from work, traveling to a gas station, seeking medical treatment, or caring for a relative.
Additionally, a curfew for minors aged 17 and below is in effect from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Mayor Shirley Washington stated that those hours were selected because they are “school hours”.
“The purpose is these are school hours from 7:30 to 2:30,” said Washington. “We want that to be constructive time where the kids are inside doing some constructive things. Reading, working on homework, maybe. We are hoping that we get some virtual classrooms going. I think they have already started on that, so we want that to be more like school time, learning, constructive time. And then after that, they are not getting any recesses or outside time during the day, so we relaxed that to 2:30. We want that to be time that they are actually still with their families because we don’t want them engaging with neighbors, or people outside of their household.”
Anyone 17 or under will not be cited if they are traveling to or from work, traveling to a gas station, seeking medical treatment, or caring for a relative.
“If they are going to work the way that they should, they will never be stopped,” said Washington.
Pine Bluff Police Chief Kelvin Sergeant said the curfew has been put into place largely because of people taking advantage of empty streets to form illegal drag races.
“That’s one reason we are doing what we are doing now,” said Sergeant. “Because Friday, the activity the young people were doing was just outrageous, being honest with you. So, we are trying to do some additional things to address that part as well.”
Sergeant said there is a zero tolerance policy in place for reckless driving after multiple reports of drag racing on city streets over the weekend.
“This is a zero tolerance towards reckless driving,” said Sergeant. “They will be ticketed, and their vehicle will be towed. No exceptions. That is a total disregard for the community, for the safety of everyone when they are out driving, speeding, running red lights and stop signs. So, if it is a reckless act, that is witnessed by an officer, we will ticket it and tow that vehicle.”
The city has set up a tip line for citizens to report anyone who is violating the curfew.
“If we see anyone violating the curfew, if we see someone loitering or gathering inappropriately, that is the tip line they can call,” said Washington.
The number for the tip line is 870-541-5300.
Additionally, the City of Pine Bluff has set up a text messaging service for updates on the COVID-19 situation within the city. Text “SAFETYALERTS” to 91896 to receive the updates. The word “SAFETYALERTS” must be in all caps.
