MASKING UP
FOR COVID-19
COVID-19 swept the world in 2020 , shaking up the definition of normal and forcing all individuals to change their habits in order to comply with new COVID-19 regulations . Executive orders across all states changed business drastically , as many non-essential businesses had to shutdown temporarily and restaurants scrambled to comply with take-out service only . Throughout all this , law enforcement agencies continued operations , albeit with modified procedures .
The Fayetteville Police Department was quick to adopt safety precautions against COVID-19 . Masks are now required when walking around within the department , and officers are required to wear masks when outside of their vehicles and interacting with citizens . The public lobby was closed for the time being to promote the safety of both employees and citizens . Stringent cleaning schedules have been adopted , including the provision of cleaning supplies to workstations , vehicles , and employees , as well as frequent cleaning
“ We are creating masks so that officers have at least some line of defense .” of high-contact surfaces .
These provisions did not come easily . The Fayetteville Police Department struggled to secure high-demand resources like masks . Instead of giving up , Chief Hawkins utilized sewing machines from the Police Activity League and there were eleven volunteers from inside and outside the department that worked tirelessly over a weekend with the goal to create 1,000 masks for officers .
“ We are creating the masks so that officers have at least some line of defense ,” said Chief Hawkins . Even in the face of a global pandemic , the Fayetteville Police Department is committed to protecting the citizens of Fayetteville in a safe and secure manner .
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