BUFFALO (WBEN) - Earlier this week, Governor Cuomo went off on numerous topics relating to the COVID-19 pandemic, including hot spots, lack of local government enforcement, and religious organizations not taking the virus seriously.
He also suggested that police departments start enforcing mask-wearing on streets if someone is within six feet of someone else.
"If you walk down the street without a mask and you're within six feet of a person, you are in violation of the law," said Cuomo. "NYPD should be enforcing it now - New York City Department of Health Should be enforcing it now. You should have no question in your mind that if you walk down the street and you're not wearing a mask, and a police officer sees you, you're going to be ticketed."
On a local level, the governor's comments didn't seem to move the meter all that much. While the governor specifically mentioned New York City, some have questioned whether he wants police departments from around the state get tougher on mask enforcement.
"I think a majority of his comments were directed toward downstate/New York City area where you have dense population," said Rinaldo. "We don't have an issue up here in terms of public places, in public outdoor spaces, a lack of compliance in mask-wearing."
Captain James Unger of the West Seneca Police Department said their policy is to take a more educational approach to enforcing the mask statute, rather than "writing a ticket."
"If we can make a positive interaction by educating and supplying someone with a mask as opposed to making a negative interaction where we have to issue them a citation, or worst case, even make an arrest, we would take the approach of trying to make it a positive interaction," said Unger. "We've taken more of an education campaign where we will make contact with people on the street if we find that they are not wearing a mask within six feet of other people."
Unger also stated that West Seneca officers are all carrying boxes of masks in their patrol cars and detective vehicles.
"We have not seen situations where people are not wearing the masks while they're out and about in public places and unable to socially distance," said Rinaldo. "Thankfully, we've seen great compliance when the few times our officers have come across people that are engaged in activities where they should wear a mask - the simple request for them to put one on has worked."
