Hunter
04/12/20
Local law enforcement agencies have seen their calls for service change dramatically with the governor’s emergency declaration reducing traffic and closing businesses temporarily.
The Cedar Rapids Gazette reports that Sixth Judicial District Chief Judge Patrick Grady issued a court order giving officers approval to cite and release offenders on crimes that normally would have landed them in jail, in order to further protect the safety of officers and offenders.
There has also been a marked drop in calls for service. Coralville Police Chief Shane Kron says that calls for motorist assists, shoplifting incidents, car accidents and school visits have all but disappeared.
Iowa City Sgt. Derek Frank tells the Gazette that officers are focusing mostly on safety and health-related issues, forgoing stops for equipment violations, but still stopping speeders.
Some calls that normally would be answered in person are being done over the phone if possible.
Cedar Rapids police chief Wayne Jerman previously told the paper that his department has focused on declaration compliance, completing well over 800 checks of businesses since Governor Reynolds’ orders went into effect last month.
The University of Iowa Department of Public Safety says they’re just as busy, but in different ways. They’re doing regular checks of now-vacant buildings for any infrastructure or utility issues that normally would have been taken care of immediately with students, faculty and staff in full population. They’re also helping with health screenings as people enter the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.
