By JAMES BELL
Hays Post
The Hays Police Department has taken a proactive approach in light of the COVID-19 outbreak to protect their officers and the public.
"We are obviously taking it very seriously," said Police Chief Don Scheibler. "We are encouraging our people to take some proactive steps."
As shifts come on duty and leave, they are disinfecting the vehicles and the squad room, along with maintaining a clean work environment throughout the building, he said.
Scheibler said they are also working to maintain social distancing between officers and staff.
When they are interacting with the public they are also implementing social distancing and limiting hands-on contact.
"We are having a more stand-off approach. We are not going to be shaking hands with people and stuff like that, trying to limit the spread," Scheibler said. "We hope people don't get offended. It's not us trying to be rude or disrespectful."
They have also implemented plans to help keep offenders safe, by issuing citations to appear when appropriate or filing long-form reports to the Ellis County Attorney.
"We are trying to limit the number of people we are putting into the jail system," Scheibler said, "understanding that some people still need to be arrested."
Suspects in violent crimes or crimes of domestic violence, for example, he said, will still be detained.
"We are still arresting people," Scheibler said.
In case someone does become infected, the department has a plan ready.
"We have an emergency operations plan, so there is a plan in place," Scheibler said.
That plan exists outside of the current outbreak concerns.
"If something should happen, a major disaster like a tornado striking town, there's a plan in place to make sure we have enough people to cover the streets," he said.
Scheibler also encouraged everyone to respect the recommendations limiting group activities.
"Any events that expect 50 or more people," he said, "we expect people to cancel.
"At this point, my expectations are for people to be responsible and not engage in conduct that is going to be a danger, not only to them but also the most vulnerable people of our community," he said. "This is truly a threat to the elderly and, if we are careless with this, if we just throw caution to the wind ... we are exposing other people to danger.
"We encourage people to take care of themselves and take care of their neighbors, buy what you need, but let's not go to the store and buy a month's worth of something because that's going to limit others from buy what they need," Scheibler said.
"If we take basic safety precautions," he said. "We will be all right."