By: Ray King
Persons convicted of violating the curfew put into place by Pine Bluff Mayor Shirley Washington on Sunday and then extended by the city council on Monday face fines of up to $1,000 and up to 30 days in jail.
Police Chief Kelvin Sergeant said Tuesday that officers will enforce the curfew, which has exceptions for people going to and from work, to a store, gas station, to get medicine or caring for a sick relative.
Appearing on Talk Back Live with Floyd Donald, Sergeant said it will be up to a judge to decide on the fine but he expected that the maximum fines would be handed out to those who habitually violate the curfew.
“If an individual is out doing essential things that are not prohibited,” they will be able to go on their way.
Asked if he was aware of an individual selling mixed drinks in a business that had already been shut down, Sergeant said he was, and said that person had been warned and warned about his actions.
He said that individual could be one of those who will face the maximum fine available.
“We need to take this (COVID-19) seriously,” Sergeant said. “To flat line this, we need to do those things to help one another be safe.”
