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Aspen, Snowmass authorities take community policing approach to COVID-19 public health order enforcement

The police chief said if officers see more than 10 people congregating they will approach them and educate them on what the public health order says and why.

ASPEN, Colo — Aspen police will not be taking an aggressive approach in enforcing recent public health orders by state and local officials, which prohibit more than 10 people gathering in one place in an attempt to slow the COVID-19 disease in the community.

“I expect people to be respectful and obey it,” Pitkin County Sheriff Joe DiSalvo said Thursday.

Assistant Police Chief Bill Linn echoed that remark, and said the public has an understanding that social distancing from one another — at least six feet — is key to slowing the virus.

> The video above explains how social distancing can help mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

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“Our community is the kind of community that is going to be voluntarily compliant,” he said. “And with this community awareness, no one is going to put up with (violators).”

Linn said if officers see more than 10 people congregating they will approach them and educate them on what the public health order says and why.

“This is not a strong-armed enforcement approach,” Linn said, adding that if a complaint is made, officers will follow up on it.

> Continue reading this story at The Aspen Times.

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