Inyo County Sheriff Jeff Hollowell says, he will not enforce curfew if county falls into Purple Tier.
On Governor Newsom’s Stay at Home Order
Statement from the Sheriff
On November 19, the Inyo County Sheriff’s Office learned that Governor Newsom would be issuing a “Limited Stay at Home Order” (curfew) to take effect Saturday, November 21, at 10 PM. It has been the position of the Sheriff to educate citizens and visitors alike of the severity of COVID-19. Further, I encourage all to take the necessary steps to protect the elderly and those susceptible to the virus.
Although the curfew doesn’t apply to Inyo County based on our tier placement at this time, if and when Inyo County gets moved into the Purple Tier, the Sheriff’s Office will not be responding to calls for service regarding gatherings, curfew violations, or masking calls. I need to keep our limited personnel available for emergency calls for service.
Please do your part to slow the spread; practice social distancing, wash hands with soap and water, and wear a mask.
Jeff Hollowell, Sheriff, Inyo County, November 20, 2020
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For all those who think or should I say can’t think for them self’s and need to be told by the government what they should do ,how they should think, what they should do ,these are the people who need to pack there bags and move to Russia! Last time l checked this was America, we can think, make Decisions for ourself.. unlike those who need the government to wipe these noses, some of us would rather the government stay out of our business!!! we have to many laws that are useless as it is !! so for those who complain about needing to be told what to do I suggest you stay on the porch with the little ones stay,, and leave the rest of us alone because no one likes a cry baby these are the ones that ruin things for us all some people need to get a life if they did they would stop Whining
If people are so capable of making good decisions on their own, then why is this pandemic so out of control? Frankly, it sounds like you are the one “Whining.” Others are going about their business, following guidelines designed to save the lives of those around them, something which you seem to care less about. Most people following these rules realize they are in America, and not in Russia. Someone’s freedom to be an idiot stops where it impinges on the freedom of those around you to not die from your ignorance.
IMO,for what it’s worth,just ANOTHER case where it seems people nowdays seem to “need” someone to tell them what to do,what not to do,no matter if it’s the right and safe thing to be doing or not.
We see it all the time.
Whether it be something like this concerning COVID and trying to control it,safety precautions and /or procedures concerning other possible emergencies,man made or not,people “telling ” us when it’s safe to send our kids to school,when it’s safe to when and where to travel..
Watch out for the weather,watch out for the crowds.Sometimes even “told” where not to go because of possible wild or dangerous animal activity in an area.
I was once told (balled out) by an “authority” because I didn’t report a Bear sighting in an area where there were campers near by,where “they” could have made the decision whether or not to close the area or “look into” a possible safety issue or problem ahead “they” could take care of.
Bring back the olden’ days when us regular people were allowed to make our own decisions and had the common sense to do it.
And having the common sense to know if it was the right thing to do,for themselves and others.
.
So right David, add to that how many people you can have at your Thanksgiving dinner table.
Bill
I’m not really against COVID rules and regulations,seeins it seems it is a big problem
But I also don’t think rules and regulations are going to end it or control it..
What that’s going to take is people’s common sense,not people telling others what and what not to do.
Mask = common sense.
Most of the other things,nothing more than rules no one is going to listen to or abide by, or able for the big guns to enforce anyway..
The lack of common sense is what makes things worse.
Stick by your guns, Jeff.
Stick by your guns, Jeff
I regret voting for this Sheriff and won’t be doing so in two years at the next election. He claims that he’s all about education on COVID and protecting the elderly/people susceptible to the virus, yet he’s not willing to enforce measures to protect our locals. If a business calls the Sheriff’s office due to a hostile customer who won’t put on a mask and is therefore trespassing, is he saying that deputies won’t respond to assist the business owner because they’re not responding to “masking calls”?
It’s a shame that he’s putting politics over “public safety”. It’s also a shame that he’s failing to realize that these stay at home orders are legal under multiple code sections under Health and Safety (120125, 120130(c), 120135, 120140, 120145, 120175,120195 and 131080; EO N-60-20, N-25-20) as well as the Emergency Services Act. Perhaps this Sheriff needs education in the fact that these stay at home orders and curfews are legal and lawful and he’s choosing not to uphold them as he swore an oath to do so.
It’s my impression that the Sheriff’s statement reflects the great divisiveness that is tearing the fabric of USA society apart. On the one side there is the extreme behavior of San Francisco being a sanctuary city for illegal immigrants, while on the other, there is the ludicrous behavior of those pro- Trumpers not enforcing infection mitigation protocols such as wearing a mask!
Neither side is correct. No wonder that the USA has become the laughing stock of the world. I suspect that the new Administration will not change that perspective.
Just a FYI, county district attorneys have said they will not prosecute any curfew arrests because they cannot find a law that’s being broken. They’ve contacted the state attorney general Xavier Becerra for information on what law they’re breaking and he has not responded. Because they’re currently is no law that can be prosecuted for breaking Newsom’s curfew law. Almost every county sheriff on the state says they will not be enforcing the curfew because it’s at the bottom of the list of priorities.
You questioning If the sheriff will not be responding to a unruly and hostile person who will not wear a mask in a business and is trespassing is ridiculous. The sheriff will absolutely come out to take care of the problem.
Mike, this article, District Attorney: ‘No Authority’ to Enforce Curfew Order, discusses the issue of curfew enforcement. For all the talk, there seems little evidence that anyone serious anticipates widespread “enforcement” of the curfew, which had considerable latitude on its “exceptions.” There’s considerable grandstanding taking place on “protesting” these orders, but there appears to be little to fear from them as witnessed by the large numbers of travelers (perhaps a better term would be “super spreaders”) on the move this Thanksgiving holiday planning on attending large family gatherings. We’ll see what the result of all this will be. It appears we Americans “love our freedom” literally to death.
These comments by and large reflect favorably on the Eastern Sierra. At the risk of offending by omission, I want to specially note the wisdom of Charles O. Jones, whose insights definitively demonstrate that the county as a whole can boast a cumulative IQ in excess of 140, which is the genius level.
Haha. No need to include the entire Eastside with your patronizing superiority. You should save your trademark condescension for me alone.
The ambiguity of the Sheriffs statement needs to be clarified. Covid will infect everyone no matter the body politic. I agree with the portion of the “Statement” supporting covid mitigation measures . I accept that the Inyo County Sheriffs Department has limited staffing . I disagree with any pre announcement of what the Department will or will not do as this opens the “Statement” to political reactions from folks when we should be looking to diminish covid and save lives. I am waiting for a response from Jeff whom I supported and voted for to clear away the politics and focus on protect and serve and covid mitigation measures. As far as the support of our local economy and assistance to local folks who are suffering there is an immediate need for another round of economic stimulus from the Federal government to tide us over till most of us get vaccinated . Our frustrations, difficulties and anger over covid need to be addressed in Washington to provide immediate relief.
Probability of survival by age group from Covid-19 from the CDC-
0-19: 99.997%
20-49: 99.98%
50-69: 99.5%
70+: 94.6%
That 70+ is averaged out into all age groups over 70. The average life expectancy for Americans is 78.
You go ahead and get vaccinated, I’ll take my chances with my immune system.
Those numbers fail to tell the whole story. Many people have survived the virus yet still have serious health issues preventing them from carrying on a normal lives. Some have even had serious organ damage that they’ll never recover from. Your vaccination may help protect others. Vaccinations aren’t just about YOU, they’re developed to protect the community at large.
We regularly post statistics, references, and hyperlinks with our stories and in comments posted on our website that reflect differing views. You commented that you stopped following Sierra Wave because of your opinion of our “liberal bias.” You presume that you know know the political views of those that work here, which is interesting because even I don’t really know that with any real degree of certainty. Why? Because we almost never discuss politics here. We don’t have time for it, for one thing, and with the Covid restrictions, we don’t often see each other in-person very much. And when we are in the building at the same time, we’re generally closeted in our own offices doing our work. Most of my work is actually done in my home office.
Our morning show host and DJ, Bill Snyder, is the work-horse of the station. He’s amazingly talented and works incredibly long hours. And, when he’s not doing his show O-T-A, he’s preparing for the next one, or some other related task such as creating radio advertising and PSA spots. He cares very much about what it going on in our communities and he often reaches out to offer his help. Frankly, I have no idea what his “politics” are, just that he’s a nice, hardworking guy.
It’s that kind of commitment that every one of us that works here at Sierra Wave Media try to provide our listeners and communities. We try to stay positive. We work out any occasional disagreements among ourselves (which are rare), and there’s not a lot of “we”(as in “numbers of us”) working here to begin with. We mostly discuss how we can better serve our audience and our communities, and how we can better do our jobs working together as a team. I’m proud to work with these outstanding people. So, again, do not presume that you really know any of us. Because.You.Do.Not.
As for the number and type of comments or ratings seen on our website, it’s “hit and miss.” It seems that most things about law enforcement often get strongly negative reactions from certain readers. And yet, there are strong defenders of our local law enforcement officers and agencies as well. Some of our readers/listeners/viewers have apparently not had the most pleasant or positive dealings with “local law enforcement,” and hold very strongly-held and negative views of it. On the other hand, many others still view those in law enforcement in a generally favorable light. And many, if not most, seem to hold mixed views. For example, they support good cops, and don’t support bad cops or bad policies.
The numbers of views, comments, and ratings vary widely, depending on the topic. During the wildfires this summer, we had up to 40+ thousand hits on our website in one single day alone. People cared about the Town of Mammoth being threatened. The loss of the Roosevelt Tree in Big Pine is another example, bringing several days of 20+ thousand website views/hits, and lots of comments. So, your remark to another poster in Comments questioning his “But 135 votes on one comment?” as if they were “manufactured,” doesn’t carry water.
If anything can be taken from the numbers of ratings and comments, it is that a lot of people simply do not share your views, opinions, and “facts,” which have often lacked nuance, sensitivity, compassion, or a respectful tolerance for the views of those that differ from yours. Despite that, we have posted many of your comments here on the website. But…if you insist on “dropping off the radar,” and never visiting our website again, that’s certainly your prerogative.
Bravo for your point of view and position
You do realize they’ll be having vaccination cards to fly or attend large shows, sporting events, and other venues, right? And if you think that’s far fetched, they required it prior to this pandemic while travelling to some countries. With COVID, it will likely be if you plan to board a plane to fly *anywhere*. Some sporting organizations and venues are already putting those plans in place when the vaccine is available.
But hey, feel free to decline the vaccine. That will just free it up for someone else.
We see your numbers William . Not going to quibble about them at all . One thing to request however . The folks who we have been calling the front line workers, the ones who suit up everyday for the past many months and deal with covid in the hospitals, as one of them has posted, I paraphrase. “We are are not frontline workers , we are the last line of defense. Everyone else in the community is the front line of defense” . Please consider others especially these unbelievable dedicated folks who given their lives, risked everything, to comfort, to heal and sadly to attend to others death. If it was only about each of us and making a personal choice, that would be up to you. However, choices at this time have to do with others, family, friends, neighbors, Republicans, Democrats, all those we love and otherwise. We are all in this together
Phil, go back to LA where you are truly a squeaking mouse. I know that’s why you moved up here, cause you are tired of being ignored. Living here for 2 years does not make you a “local”.
YES!!!! I don’t care what “political aisle” you are in – less government overlords, the better. Thank you, law enforcement, for letting adults having our own brains!
Yep, nobody likes to feel out of control, but tying that to an emotional scene from a movie about political overlords designed for entertainment is a bit of a reach. Logic can solve those problems if embraced. While playing wild wild west looks fun on TV, many have equally invested time, passion and much else into this social structure, typically those who seek to sustain it for one reason or another for the next generation. Instead of going on a renegade suicide mission of self absorbed ego frenzy modeled after Hollywood. In reality, it is more like a parent teaching an ignorant and unruly child that hot stoves can still burn them for the 7th time and you are not John Wayne or Yoda for that matter, just a nasty human like the rest of us. It took me a hot minute to understand this as well, that my going against the grain was causing my troubles, there is no dark overlord and equally no free ride. However, there is a system and my ability or failure to learn the system and use it to my advantage is the path to regaining control of my own life. When the hollywood wild horse bucks too hard.. well just like the DOD takes care of things abroad, United States of America has an app for that too, called Homeland Security. There is nothing new under the sun, it makes sense to expand ourselves at some point instead of the constant internal battle spilling outward. Just pay your taxes and don’tput all your eggs in one basket. It us really that simple.. The system really is quite beautiful when you step back and watch it work.Lol
Hey frankly, obviously you don’t know sheriff Hollowell.. I’ve been here 45 yrs..known the sheriff 40 of those years and seen a few sheriffs come and go in my time.. never have I seen another sheriff be so active when the S**t hits the fan..hes usually the first too respond too aid his deputies.. ive been on both sides of the law,good and bad,bit never lost my respect for Mr.Hollowell.. suck it up buttercups.. if ya can’t handle the heat,run for grammas basement!! Lol
As of this moment, 256,830 of our fellow Americans have died from this virus. “S**t hit the fan” a long time ago.
We all need to “suck it up buttercup” and do everything we can to beat this pandemic so all of us can get back to our lives sooner rather than later. And useless political statements from elected officials that undermine those efforts aren’t helping us get there.
We need some serious change in the eastern sierra, in so many ways. We need our elected officials to give a damn about the local people, the community, and the land. Pretty disappointed in our councilmen in southern Inyo too. Hollowel seems so wrong in so many ways. Can’t wait to vote him out and the Kingsley. Kingsley is motivated by his own self interest. He promotes his own absurd ideas that are not feasible or beneficial for the county. He is a subject matter expert of nothing when it comes to southern Inyo. I’ve been meaning to point out the trump dump rally’s were allowed in Bishop, but a Black Lives Matter was canceled because it was too dangerous. Equality for all citizens regardless of color or political affiliation!
Stand Up, go back to LA where you fit in. Hollowell and Kingsley are very responsive to the people, as are our other Supervisors, including mine Rick Pucci. Nobody cancelled Black Lives Matter except the person that organized it, and then it went on anyway, I was there. BLM stands for Bureau of Land Management up here.
To elaborate, economies and societies like ours start at the bottom. The foundation is the low wage earner, the working class. They provide services for a wage to small business owners and larger industries. They hopefully save some money by being smart while balancing their life with joy so they don’t become raving lunatics on social media. The more stressful yhe job, the more pay and the equal higher the cost to balance with joy. Then they smile on the way to the bank to buy property, both the workers in the form of homes and the businesses in the form of real and personal property. All along the way they should both be paying taxes to the various levels of government to provide services that keep them safe and secure in having this very process of progression and family safety available to them. When people choose to not abide by the process it fractures the system, this is compounded when the emotional center of the brain takes over and they blame everyone but themselves for not saving money or not balancing their own lives with joy. The Sheriff doesn’t have a magic wand to fix this as he is just another worker, albeit an elected one, to balance the powers of government that many here egregiously acuse him of manipulating otherwise. Sure, it is a long arduous process at times, that is why the balance of joy is so important. Nobody said being an American would be easy, it takes work to find the dream, more so when half our citizenry is fighting the other half to keep that dream alive instead of working together. If you want to help, stop waiting for the Sheriff to save you, save your money and start a business and pay your taxes and save the ranting for the ballot box instead of bashing your fellow taxpayers on the internet. It is hard enough already, hold out a hand, not a weapon. Even if you have a badge or served, this isn’t the military, it is a civil society. Let’s act like it.
Political slant has been passed around like the infection. I really can’t comment on that because I honestly don’t care. However, the gorilla in the room seems to be, why isn’t there enough staffing to get the job done? Despite what we align with politically, money makes lubricates nd the our emotions drive the gears in this country to turn no matter the side you are on. Left, right or purple, maintaining the status quo when the world is changing around you only leads to one place, failure. Adaptation, in a wise, informed and methodical fashion seems to be the key here. This is a capitalist society still, the election did not change that, staff are funded with taxes. The left and right paradigm serves only to divide the body as a whole, without the body and central system of nerves that coordinates the hands, the body cannot cope in the world. Speaking out both sides of our mouths serves only our own self destruction. There are layers to how a successful economy and governance work. We cannot change that with feelings alone, it takes action and putting our money where both sides of our mouths speak those emotions. It is not wrong to feel left or right, but if you want emergency responders to risk their lives for you instead of taking other jobs, they need money to feed their families. It is basic math, it is really that simple. Feel and have your ideas, that is what this country is all about, but pay your taxes if you want to have government services. Otherwise, wash your hands and wear a mask.
Ok all you haters,wheres your squeaky toys.? You sound like a bunch of whiney lil girls.. grow up
Why don’t I expect the county sheriff to protect me from the potential spread of the coronavirus? Why don’t I believe it’s his job? Because it isn’t his job. He obviously believes that the issue does have a foundation in politics and it’s inappropriate for him and his force to be some sort of answer to how to stop the spread of the disease. He is in fact being honest in his role in the situation that our country faces. As a responsible citizen I am completely comfortable that the county sheriff is not seeing himself and his force as part of the solution that the California governor claims to be able to mandate.
Why would he enforce these rules when the people that make them don’t even abide by any of them?
If you are at risk, stay home. If you are not, wear a mask, wash your hands, social distance and use common sense. It is all about personal responsibility and leave the political slant out of it. Stop being selfish and stupid. The virus is real, it makes most sick and in some scenarios kills people. Do your part to protect those around you and the vulnerable members of your family.
For those of you out there who think that a curfew is the law.. it is not a law. For those of you who think veterans fought for shutdowns, curfews, deprivation of rights and tyranny. You have it backward.
American vets fought for freedom, liberty, and our democratic republic of limited government of the people, by the people and for the people.
If you are for curfews and want central planners telling everyone how to live and what to do, you should check out China and North Korea.
If you cannot rely on law enforcement to enforce the law, who do you rely on? We haven’t seen violence here related to masking and public health orders that I know of, but lots of places have. If someone gets assaulted, will the sheriff respond?
Glad to know the Sheriff feels compelled to announce he’s not going to enforce a ruling that doesn’t apply to bis county. No politics here…
This statement by the sheriff makes no sense….even if he intends not to search out violators, which I understand, why would he announce that???? Sounds like a political statement to me. and I do expect him to attend to egregious situations….such as perhaps a huge party of young people at an air bnb or something like that. Wouldn’t it be appropriate to address egregious situations instead of daring people to do stuff by saying they won’t respond?!?!?!? Who is this guy? Gotta say, he doesn’t sound like the sharpest tool in the shed!
I am a former LAPD Sergeant and the Sheriff is absolutely correct. The curfew is not a law and we are not living in a police state. To address one of the comments, enforcement of a law is NOT mandatory, it is discretionary. This curfew issued by King Newsom has no legal force or effect, and King Newsom can not create law. The courts have already slapped him down for exceeding his authority. 1984 by Orwell was a novel, not a guide to be implemented by Newsom.
Politicians aren’t going to fix the Covid epedemic . It’s on US. Be responsible, be careful.
Frankly and unfortunately, we’re stuck with Hollowell for two more years. Hopefully our veterans and other concerned citizens in the county will come together and vote this guy out of office should he decide to run for another term. And hopefully, there will be a decent candidate to run against him, and not the type of unqualified candidate that ran against him last time. (SWM: Edited per request of commentator).
There must be a better choice available. Maybe a recently retired LEO would be an excellent choice to replace him. A candidate who would more likely do right by veterans and taxpayers, and place county veterans interests first, and not his wallet as has the current sheriff. The pettiness that Hollowell has displayed in his dealings with the VSO representative is reprehensible, not that she has been particularly helpful either. But, you would expect the Sheriff to be the adult in the room, not someone acting like a 3-year-old.
Hollowell does not deserve that 7% bonus or whatever it is he receives as the supposed head of the county VSO. It’s basically stealing taxpayers money for a job that he has not, and never will, deserve, given his lack of involvement, dubious qualifications and juvenile behavior. Our veterans have been going to Bakersfield for god sake, for services they never should have to leave this county to get or have ready access. Why are we tolerating this?
And now, Hollowell, has decided that, not only is he a constitutional scholar, but he is an expert in epidemiology as well. Add to that, he apparently has decided which laws he will or will not allow to be enforced.
Amazing. Just amazing.
Since the Sheriff seems to prefer politics to enforcement, maybe he should consider that unlike 2016, Trump did not win the majority of votes in Inyo County. After 4 years in the White House, the majority of Inyo voters aren’t buying his horse feathers. It might not be wise to attach your wagon to the wagon train that voters rejected.
It would appear that the ISO’s statement saying they will not enforce a possible future curfew parallels what a few other so. CA county sheriff departments are stating. Overall my interactions with our Inyo SO have been favorable overall. We ought to be glad they are around to respond to real emergencies rather than diktat from Sacramento.
John Calhoun
I honestly don’t think it has much to do with trump and the lies he tries to push on us.
Here in Inyo County,more being how would the Sheriff enforce this.
Sadly,we have to rely on people’s common sense regarding masks,distancing,etc.
Nothing to do with trump anymore.
Who listens to trump and his lies anyway.
Soon trump will be seen as an afterthought and one of America’s biggest mistakes and failures.
If he refuses, lock him up! I’m tired of these people in power thinking they’re above the law. The Sheriffs first priority should be the safety of inyo’s citizens.
Good.
No dirty commie gonna tell Inyo County what to do!
MAGA!
What a cop out! The only time I voted for someone and regretted it. Shame on you Sheriff.
So now the Sherrif would not enforce the law if and when it applies to Inyo County? Obviously he is cahoots with his buddy Trump! The hypocrisy of LEOs
Trump ain’t got no buddies anymore. Those that stood with him (in “federal” government service) before the election , did so out of fear of losing their jobs , and now they’re distancing themselves since his dictatorship has come to an end . The blue-collar bootlickers did so out of shear ignorance . Now that trump is no longer an asset to Vladimir Putin , maybe he’ll throw us a bone & release the ” ” tape .
Knowing that Charles James and the rest of Sierra wave are super-libs, obvious what kind of comments are on this site, because no one with a brain reads this silliness anymore. I can’t excuse myself, cause they came up on a recent search, so here I am. But 135 votes on one comment? Sort of like votes for Biden, out of thin air? readers liked what he said so much more? Oh by the way Rick O’Brien, lick my boots, you condescending piece of fluff. Snowflake? I can’t believe 135 people even read this yellow journalism hack. Cheers. PS, gonna try really hard to make this my last visit to beyond stupid and biased.
Joann Lijek
Are you chanting “trump,trump,trump” as you’re posting your comments here ?
Are you claiming Charles James is making up fictitious names to post Liberal comments and reply’s or are you saying Charles James sees a Liberal comment written by someone else and hits the “thumbs up” button numerous times during his lunch hour ?
Your comment on Rick O’ Brien and what he had to say,a typical right wing response,the name calling and insults to the truth,just like your “leader” tried to do(and failed) with others that didn’t bow down and worship their savior.
Joann,you have until January 21st,you have between now and then to figure out how to think on your own,talk on your own,survive life on your own without trump telling you how to do it ….because as Rick O’Brien said,his dictatorship is over.
And so are his lies and silliness.
Do try really hard to take your Sierra wave conspiracy theories,your own lies and silliness elsewhere.
Dear Joann, Are you feeling unwell? Perhaps you need some medical assistance and/or mental health counseling which is not available to you in this region? Perhaps you would be happier and healthier in, oh, maybe L.A. where there are millions of people just like you. Perhaps you will no longer feel compelled to spew childish verbal abuse and and conspiracy theories on internet media sites. But at least if you still must rage at others in order to satiate whatever illness has overcome your mind and/or body you will be surrounded by millions more of your kind than you can expect in this thinly populated part of the state.
tl/dr: don’t let the door hit you in the hind end