EDITORIAL: Police in RI Should Hand Out Masks - Not Citations

EDITORIAL: Police in RI Should Hand Out Masks - Not Citations

Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo has issued an executive order requiring residents to wear masks both outside and inside.

The order that people be encouraged to wear masks is good public policy and it is intended to protect public health.

Raimondo, however, has demanded the police enforce her mandated order. 

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Multiple police unions have strongly rebuffed her order's enforcement provision.

“We draw the line at the draconian measures Governor Raimondo has chosen to include in her Executive Order of mandating that all people wear masks in public under the threat of civil penalties being issued to them.  Our officers work every single day to bridge the gap with our community and earn their trust.  We will not stand idly by and allow Governor Raimondo’s overreaching Order to tear that bridge down, and we will certainly not be a part of it by enforcing this Order against our community,” said Jedidiah Pineau, President of the Warwick Fraternal Order Of Police Lodge 7, in the letter.

The better choice might be for police across the state to be given masks, and when they see residents without a mask, to offer them a free mark.

Rhode Island has received nearly $1.3 billion in federal dollars to combat the virus. 

The state should purchase and distribute masks to provide to Rhode Island law enforcement with masks for the public.

This would create a stronger relationship and avoid the punitive approach advocated by Raimondo.

The goal is public health. Free masks would help build a bond between police and the public -- not break it down.