Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Sheriff Says She's Not Enforcing COVID-19 Orders. Puts Fresno in National Spotlight Again.
Randy-Reed-Image
By Randy Reed, Operations Manager
Published 5 years ago on
May 15, 2020

Share

Fresno County Sheriff Margaret Mims is being cheered on social media after she told a local radio host on Tuesday she is not enforcing COVID-19 stay-at-home orders.

Conservative website Breitbart picked up Mims’ comments for an article posted online on Thursday. The story was headlined: “Fresno County Sheriff Won’t Enforce Stay-At-Home Orders; Too Busy Re-Arresting Freed Criminals.”

The article was actively shared by Twitter users. By Thursday afternoon, a search for “Fresno” on the social platform returned dozens of supportive posts linking to the Breitbart story.

National Exposure for Fresno

It was the third time this week that Fresno has received national media attention related to COVID-19 rules.

On Sunday, a group of protesters blocked a police officer and city inspectors from serving a citation to the owner of the Waffle Shop, which reopened in defiance of COVID-19 business restrictions. Then, on Tuesday, Fresno City Council President Miguel Arias scuffled with conservative activists protesting at his home over the city’s coronavirus response policies.

Both incidents received coverage by news outlets across the country.

Sheriff Confirms ‘No Enforcement’ Policy

Mims made her comments Tuesday on the Trevor Carey Show, which is simulcast weekday afternoons on two radio stations in Fresno branded as Power Talk.

Host Trevor Carey asked Mims, ““I’ve heard multiple sheriffs around the nation state they will not enforce their governors’ shelter-in-place orders. Is that your position?”

Mims replied, “That is my position.”

She added, “We do not stop the public to find out what they’re doing when they’re not sheltering in place. We don’t ask those questions, we don’t ask if they’re ‘essential.’ ”

Mims Says Focus is Elsewhere

The sheriff said her department is focused on other priorities. “We’ve got our hands full trying to re-arrest people that are released due to zero-dollar bail,” she told Carey.

Mims was referring to a policy implemented April 6 by the state Judicial Council, setting $0 bail for suspects arrested on misdemeanor and non-violent charges. The policy was enacted to limit jail populations and lessen demands on the court system during the coronavirus pandemic.

Sheriff’s Department spokesman Tony Botti said Thursday that 711 suspects in Fresno County have been released on zero-dollar bail since the policy went into effect. There have been 87 re-bookings of previously released suspects since then, he said, resulting in a recidivism rate of 12.5%.

Jail Officer Tests Positive for COVID-19

The department also reported Thursday that a correctional officer at the jail recently tested positive for COVID-19. “(M)easures are being taken to identify, isolate and monitor any inmates who may have come in contact with the officer,” a department news release said.

DON'T MISS

Reps. Costa, Gray Propose Bill to Address Critical Doctor Shortage in Rural Areas

DON'T MISS

Here’s How the New NFL Rules on Kickoffs and Overtime Will Work

DON'T MISS

Valley Crime Stoppers’ Most Wanted Person of the Day: Yakista Ceeblaj Lor

DON'T MISS

Inside a $17 Billion Maintenance Backlog Plaguing California’s Universities

DON'T MISS

Progress Picks Up on Well Registration Efforts Among Kings County Landowners

DON'T MISS

Webb Pitches 7 Strong Innings as Giants Beat Astros

DON'T MISS

Curry Drops 52 as Warriors Beat Grizzlies, Move into Fifth in West

DON'T MISS

Dodgers Extend Perfect Start Behind May and Betts’ Heroics

DON'T MISS

Fresno County Authorities Seeks Public’s Help in Finding Family of Man Killed by Vehicle

DON'T MISS

California Lawmakers Reject Bills to Restrict Transgender Youth in School Sports

UP NEXT

California Lawmakers Reject Bills to Restrict Transgender Youth in School Sports

UP NEXT

Elon Musk Reclaims Top Spot on Forbes’ Billionaires List

UP NEXT

California Just Blew Its First Deadline for Voter-Approved Healthcare Measure

UP NEXT

Lakers Hold Off Rockets With 6 3-Pointers Apiece From Dorian Finney-Smith, Gabe Vincent

UP NEXT

Athletics Bat Boy Stewart Thalblum Takes Down Drone in Left Field

UP NEXT

NFL Postpones Tush Push Decision but Passes Other Rule Changes, AP Source Says

UP NEXT

March Madness: It’s South Carolina vs. Texas and UCLA vs. UConn in Women’s Final Four

UP NEXT

Major Layoffs Begin at Health Agencies That Track Disease and Regulate Food

UP NEXT

CA Snowpack Is Near-Average. What Does This Mean for Water Supplies?

UP NEXT

U.S. Bank Executive Terry Dolan Dies in Plane Crash Near Minneapolis

Inside a $17 Billion Maintenance Backlog Plaguing California’s Universities

51 minutes ago

Progress Picks Up on Well Registration Efforts Among Kings County Landowners

51 minutes ago

Webb Pitches 7 Strong Innings as Giants Beat Astros

56 minutes ago

Curry Drops 52 as Warriors Beat Grizzlies, Move into Fifth in West

1 hour ago

Dodgers Extend Perfect Start Behind May and Betts’ Heroics

1 hour ago

Fresno County Authorities Seeks Public’s Help in Finding Family of Man Killed by Vehicle

1 hour ago

California Lawmakers Reject Bills to Restrict Transgender Youth in School Sports

1 hour ago

Crawford’s Win Secures Liberal Majority on Wisconsin Supreme Court, Deals Blow to GOP

1 hour ago

Tesla Sales Tumble 13% as Musk Backlash, Competition and Aging Lineup Turn off Buyers

2 hours ago

Israel’s Operations in Gaza Expands to Seize ‘Large Areas.’ Palestinians Say Dozens Killed

2 hours ago

Reps. Costa, Gray Propose Bill to Address Critical Doctor Shortage in Rural Areas

Two San Joaquin Valley congressional representatives have introduced a bill that could help address the vast shortage of doctors in the regi...

5 minutes ago

5 minutes ago

Reps. Costa, Gray Propose Bill to Address Critical Doctor Shortage in Rural Areas

The Kansas City Chiefs kickoff to the Philadelphia Eagles at the start of the NFL Super Bowl 59 football game, Sunday, Feb. 9, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP File)
40 minutes ago

Here’s How the New NFL Rules on Kickoffs and Overtime Will Work

Yakista Ceeblaj Lor is Valley Crime Stoppers' Most Wanted Person of the Day for April 2, 2025. (Valley Crimes Stoppers)
51 minutes ago

Valley Crime Stoppers’ Most Wanted Person of the Day: Yakista Ceeblaj Lor

51 minutes ago

Inside a $17 Billion Maintenance Backlog Plaguing California’s Universities

51 minutes ago

Progress Picks Up on Well Registration Efforts Among Kings County Landowners

56 minutes ago

Webb Pitches 7 Strong Innings as Giants Beat Astros

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) reacts in the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Memphis Grizzlies Tuesday, April 1, 2025, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP/Brandon Dill)
1 hour ago

Curry Drops 52 as Warriors Beat Grizzlies, Move into Fifth in West

Los Angeles Dodgers' Mookie Betts hits a two-run home run against the Atlanta Braves during the sixth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, April 1, 2025, in, Los Angeles. (AP/Kevork Djansezian)
1 hour ago

Dodgers Extend Perfect Start Behind May and Betts’ Heroics

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend