QUESTIONS RAISED ABOUT DUE PROCESS, FLORIDA PUBLIC RECORDS STATUTES
BOCA RATON, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) — Palm Beach County Commissioners continue to talk about COVID-19 violations and citations, but whether action is truly being taken is unclear. Mayor Dave Kerner announced Friday that 24 businesses have been shut down due to COVID-19 violations, but he didn’t name them. There is no public record of any business being shut in the Palm Beach County Clerk of Courts database.
There is no public record of any business being shut in the Palm Beach County Clerk of Courts database.
The lack of public information raises serious questions about COVID-19 rules and their apparent selective enforcement. The “County Ordinance” section of the Clerk’s database is full of “open container” violations and citations for people letting their dogs run without leashes. But businesses accused of possibly engaging in the spread of COVID-19 are being kept private — that’s a blatant violation of Florida Statute 119. If a violation or citation is issued, it’s unquestionably public information.
If a county official has contact with a business or citizen, record of that contact is public information.
While singling out those not following the rules, it also provides a layer of safety to the public that may wish to avoid businesses that are not complying with COVID-19 orders. Broward County created a website with this information that it updates in real time. (Link below).
While singling out those not following the rules, it also provides a layer of safety to the public that may wish to avoid businesses that are not complying with COVID-19 orders. Broward County created a website with this information that it updates in real time. (Link below).
The hiding of citations comes as local media continues to ask why boaters on Lake Boca Raton are permitted to party. BocaNewsNow.com has been covering the issue for months. The Sun Sentinel today joins the questioning — asking why Boca Raton Police, Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission Officers and the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office have issued no citations.
It’s all part of a bigger problem. There’s a lot of talk but apparently not a lot of action when it comes to enforcing COVID rules.
If you have received a citation or warning from Palm Beach County, please let us know — news (at) bocanewsnow.com. We are interested in seeing the document and sharing your side of the story.
Broward County violation tracker.
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