SULLIVAN COUNTY – Now that summer is here, Acting Sullivan County District Attorney Meagan K. Galligan is continuing to encourage the use of face masks in public where social distancing cannot be observed in compliance with the Governor’s Executive Orders. Galligan said that the educational campaign of state and local law enforcement that kicked off months ago continues. “The goal of police efforts in ensuring compliance is public safety and not necessarily criminal or civil punishment,” said Galligan. Coordination of efforts by state and local authorities, including the health department, building and code enforcement officials, and police agencies have been a building block of Sullivan County’s success in slowing the spread of the virus.
“When outside in public near others and in shopping and recreational areas, we need to remember our commitment to our friends and neighbors: keep each other safe by limiting gatherings, keeping distant from other, and most importantly, wear a mask,” Galligan said. Galligan said that local police are on the front lines of compliance efforts and that the powers of law enforcement to issue citations and make arrests are limited to the current laws and orders on the books, which cannot be superseded by non-enforceable directives or suggestions from the State.
Galligan also announced that she and Town of Fallsburg Supervisor Steven Vegliante will hold a mask distribution event in the busiest pedestrian areas of the Town of Fallsburg on Wednesday, July 15, 2020, beginning at 3 PM. Vegliante and Galligan are expected to appear throughout the Town to encourage mask-wearing and social distancing and provide masks to people who are without them.
