FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 5, 2020

Statement from County Executive Ed Day

Disappointed to say the least at the Governor's briefing today. I spent a good part of the day yesterday, in addition to this morning, having what I thought were productive conversations with his senior staff. To blame the county for, "not understanding the law" on enforcement of large gatherings pursuant to the Governor's emergency orders when our District Attorney and Sheriff cite the New York District Attorney's Association written opinion that there is no enforceability, who likened the language in the orders as only "helpful hints" is completely inaccurate and disingenuous as we have raised this concern before.

Our District Attorney and Sheriff are independent, elected officials who head up the law enforcement component here in cooperation with our town and village chiefs. The fact is that our cops need to know that their actions are completely legal before they take action and that is not too much to ask. As a former member of law enforcement, I absolutely agree with that. To be clear, police officers DO NOT respond to or take orders from elected officials, they answer to a police command structure.

That said, we are still in communication with the Governor's senior staff today to address what we previously requested from the Governor's local staff, some firm direction on this matter. In addition, we are looking to drill down into the issues we have raised that involve the identified containment zone originally cited, along with strategies that should be employed including a temporary hospital. Frankly we need more than talk from the State Health Department during this critical moment in time. We need identified and affirmative action. I am hopeful that now some attention is being given to Rockland, we can achieve a fully focused approach. Stay tuned.

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