Boardman Township Police Chief Todd Werth is urging citizens and visitors to follow guidelines issued by federal and state agencies to adhere to social distancing guidelines and practices to stop the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
      “It’s not a time for going shopping,” Chief Werth said this week, urging resident and visitors to Boardman Township to go to store, “get their supplies and return home.”
      In the third week of the pandemic, Chief Werth says his department has relied on the cooperation of the public and businesses in the community in observing social distancing and ‘Stay at Home’ guidelines, citing numerous examples of people and Boardman businesses putting practices into place that work to help limit contact while still providing a service.
      “Travel for work that is considered essential, for medical reasons, to purchase food or medicine, and to check on those in need is permitted. Try and combine trips to limit exposure. Have specific lists prior to going to the store, and limit your time there. Now is not the time to linger, browse, or take families shopping endangering yourself or employees. While away from your home, to include walks, keep a minimum six foot distance from other people. Limiting interaction ultimately helps protect you, your family and the workers, first responders, and health care workers taking care of us,” Chief Werth said.
      The Boardman Police Department has the statutory ability to enforce the Ohio Department of Health orders and is working with the Mahoning County Public Health Department to monitor compliance.
      “In an effort to prioritize emergency calls and the dispatching of emergency personnel, please do not call into the Boardman Communications Center with questions/reports reference the Stay at Home order. If you wish to report a possible violation or have a question about the order, email us at BoardmanPolice@boardmantwp.com.,” Chief Werth said.