Monroe County officials are taking extra steps to make sure local businesses abide by the coronavirus guidelines.
The county has contracted with the company Security Pro 24/7 to have four compliance officers monitor bars and restaurants on weekends.
“It enables us to use trained personnel who are used to going into situations that perhaps might need to be de-escalated and convince people to comply with regulations in a very nice, orderly matter,” said county health administrator Penny Caudill. “We hear people say that they needed help with that, this is in response to that.”
Caudill said the main goal is to educate rather than enforce.
“People need to know what the regulations are if we expect them to follow them and sometimes people just don’t understand exactly what the rules are,” Caudill said.
Caudill said officers will be roaming around establishments across the county Thursday through Saturday during late night hours.
The County Commissioners approved a $25,000 contract with Security Pro 24/7 that runs through Dec. 15 and is expected to get reimbursement from the CARES Act.
“We just feel like this an absolute appropriate use for CARES funding to help protect the community’s health,” said Julie Thomas, a county commissioner.
During this six-week period, the county will test the program to see if the compliance officers make a considerable impact on respect for the rules.
“If we can make some small changes that help our businesses and at the same time protect public health, then we are more than willing to look at those things and do them,” Caudill said.
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