Stevenson Says 'No Proactive Enforcement' Of Lamont's New Orders

DARIEN, CT — In light of Gov. Ned Lamont's latest executive orders that impose fines for violating coronavirus mandates, Darien officials and police officer will not proactively enforce the fines, but will enforce them if a complaint is lodged, according to First Selectman Jayme Stevenson.

The five-term First Selectman told Patch that she believes "these new fines are a tipping point of government overreach for Connecticut residents who, in my opinion, are doing the best they can under very difficult circumstances."

Under Lamont's order, the following fines can be levied:

• $100 for violating the state's mask order.
• $500 for organizing a private event that exceeds 25 people indoors/100 outdoors.
• $250 for attending an event that exceeds the capacity limits.

Stevenson said that Lamont's order "empowered Local Health Departments to enforce actions related to establishments that they regulate," and that "other actions are to be enforced by the Chief Elected Official or their official designee," which she has not authorized.

"I have not designated this power so I retain the enforcement authority for things other than health related matters in Darien and would, if the situation warranted, ask for the assistance of the Darien Police Department."

As such, "enforcement is on an 'as needed' basis based on complaints received," she said, therefore "there will be no proactive enforcement of this mandate in Darien."

Since the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown which began in March, there are residents throughout the state who have bristled at Lamont's executive orders, perhaps most vividly on display over the weekend at a rally to save the canceled high school football season.

Stevenson said that she has received support from some Darien residents for her stance on enforcement of the mandates, and said she has questions about the guidelines.

"Will the judicial system prosecute violators?" she asks. "Are protest organizers subject to infractions? Will the state or local governments collect the infraction revenue and how will it be used?"

For the most part, the state's college and university towns have asked for help in enforcing the mandates "to help mitigate the spread of the virus at gatherings and parties," Stevenson said.

"The Governor’s Executive Order 7H prohibits local CEO's from imposing targeted measures to address unique problems within certain municipalities so, as a result, these new one-size-fits-all mandates will apply to all municipalities," Stevenson said.

However, police officers are now put "in a very difficult position regarding enforcement of these nuisance type rules. Infractions will be given only if there is no other viable way to gain compliance with the Governor's mandates."