BARS, BOWLING ALLEYS, MORE MUST REMAIN SHUT. SHERIFF’S OFFICE TO ENFORCE.
BOCA RATON, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) — Palm Beach County is sending a very loud message this morning: Phase One continues. If your business is not specifically authorized to open, it needs to remain closed.
The “clarification of business closure” order comes two days after BocaNewsNow.com reported that Boca Black Box — a Boca Raton theater — was planning to hold live performances starting in August with no masks required. If there was any question, that opening is illegal.
Here is the specific language from Palm Beach County in “Emergency Order 15.”
No establishment permitted to serve alcohol for on-site consumption, whether indoor or outdoor, shall serve or allow alcohol to be consumed on premises between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. Said establishments shall be closed and vacated between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. with the exception of staff performing necessary functions (such as cleaning and closing services) and except for drive-through, pick-up, or take-out services for off-site consumption.
Additionally, the operation of any closed business, including, but not limited to those listed, is in violation of law: bars; nightclubs, adult entertainment establishments, strip clubs; hookah, cigar, and other smoking bars and lounges; tanning salons, bowling alleys; arcades; playhouses; concert houses; movie theaters; auditoriums; indoor entertainment venues, tattoo parlors, body piercing parlors, acupuncture venues, and massage parlors.
Enforcement: The Sheriff of Palm Beach County, other law enforcement agencies including municipal law enforcement agencies, and any other personnel authorized by law, including, but not limited to, the personnel described in Section 9-37 of the Palm Beach County Code of Ordinances, are authorized to enforce this Order as follows:
a. Pursuant to the authorities granted in Sections 252.46 and 252.47, Florida Statutes, the Sheriff of Palm Beach County and other law enforcement authorities of the State, and the political subdivisions thereof, shall enforce the orders and rules issued pursuant to Sections 252.31 through 252.90, Florida Statutes, including this
Order. Any person violating any provision of Sections 252.31 through 252.90, Florida Statutes, or any rule or order made pursuant to the authority granted in Sections 252.31 through 252.90, Florida Statutes, is guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in Sections 775.082 or 775.083, Florida Statutes.
b. The Sheriff of Palm Beach County, other law enforcement personnel, including municipal law enforcement agencies and any other personnel authorized by law, including, but not limited to, the personnel described in Section 9-37 of the Palm Beach County Code of Ordinances, may issue civil citations to enforce this Order. Written or verbal warnings and reasonable time periods to correct shall be provided before citations resulting in fines are issued.
However, written or verbal warnings and opportunities to correct are not required if a repeat violation is found or if the code enforcement officer or other authorized enforcement personnel have reason to believe that the violation presents a serious threat to the public health, safety, or welfare, or if the violation is irreparable or irreversible. Authorized personnel may issue civil citations for fines as follows: individuals shall be fined twenty-five dollars ($25) for the first violation, fifty dollars ($50) for the second violation, and one-hundred dollars ($100) for each additional violation; businesses shall be fined two-hundred-and- fifty dollars ($250) for the first violation, three-hundred-and-fifty dollars ($350) for the second violation, and five-hundred dollars ($500) for each additional violation. Each incident of a continuing violation shall be deemed a separate additional violation; and
c. Nothing herein is intended to nor shall limit any additional enforcement mechanisms otherwise authorized by law.
