Monterey County Sheriff asks community members to ‘help minimize threat to our safety’ ahead of stay at home order

MONTEREY COUNTY, Calif. (KION) The Monterey County Sheriff's Office has issued a statement after Health Officer Dr. Edward Moreno signed a stay at home order that is set to take effect Sunday night.

Sheriff Steve Bernal said in the statement that they are all disappointed that we are in this situation again and asked community members to be cautious to slow the spread of the virus.

He said in part:

"We are in the midst of a local public health emergency based upon local cases and hospitalizations. This health threat poses significant risk to public safety in our county. As Sheriff, I am asking all of you to help minimize this threat to our safety. I want to encourage everyone to be extra careful and show caution when around others. Please do your best to social distance whenever possible, wear a mask, limit non-essential travel and avoid large gatherings. These are personal sacrifices we make to protect our friends, families, and community members.

"I have also asked my staff at the Monterrey County Sheriff’s Office to practice these steps to keep our family safe.

"Our deputies will be focused on keeping our community safe from crime and to help those in need during this time.

"I ask everyone to think of our health care workers who are the true heroes in this fight. Everyone who can avoid this virus is bringing some measure of relief to our doctors and nurses who have been tirelessly working on the front lines of this pandemic.Look out for yourselves. Look out for each other. Let’s make sure we all get through this together."

Sheriff Steve Bernal

Bernal did not say whether the department will be enforcing the new stay at home order.

Read more about the stay at home order here.