A second East Hampton Town police officer has tested positive for Covid-19.
Chief Michael Sarlo said the officer, who he did not name, has been out since March 21 and self-quarantined after experiencing very mild symptoms. The officer is recovering at home. "We have been very cautious in monitoring temperature of all department employees at beginning and end of each shift, and frequently reminding them to be aware of any potential symptoms," Chief Sarlo said.
The first officer to test positive, as reported in The Star last week, has made a full recovery, and is expected to return to work next week, the chief said. Three other officers have been tested, and all came back negative.
The department is following all protocols from the Centers of Disease Control and recommendations from the Department of Health regarding when officers who test positive should return to work.
With new suggestions that everyone wear some facial covering in public, town police officers are now wearing a protective covering while out in public on duty when they leave the patrol car.
The chiefs said the department's officers have been proactive in patrolling the beaches and parks to ensure social distancing is taking place. "We have worked with code enforcement and Building Department to address the construction sites," to ensure the governor's orders are being followed, he said.
"We received a few complaints over the weekend, however, in most circumstances, the 'gatherings' were typically small groups of family members or couples, walking the beach or using the fields. They look like a group from afar, and there may be some crowded parking lots, but our officers have seen very little crowding at all," Chief Sarlo said. "It seems there are also extended families staying together, so with the grandparents and the kids there can be six or seven people sometimes. There are of course a few exceptions, and when we approach them, they are very compliant and usually apologetic."
"We really hope the public understands there is no 'fine' we can hit someone with for this under the executive order, and in order to make an actual arrest, they would have to refuse to comply with our directions, and that just has not happened," he said. "We need the public to call us and help us by being our extra eyes and ears. Posting on social media or emailing me to complain after the fact doesn't help us at all."