BOARDMAN — Boardman Township police have a new approach to their same vital rule during this virus pandemic.

“We still continue to actively enforce the law,” said police Chief Todd Werth. “During this time we are focusing on the most egregious behavior but still need to maintain that presence and ensure people are being safe.”

The police department has seen changes, with several new policies to try and limit interaction with the public to only when necessary.

“If possible we take reports by phone instead of sending an officer,” Werth said. “We’ve closed our police department lobby to only essential business. Again, anything that we can do over the phone we do,” he said.

“If officers do interact with the public, we are ensuring that we maintain that six-foot social distancing interval. We have seen less traffic based upon the stay-at-home order, and that has helped in lessening the interactions related to traffic stops, accidents, etc. That is one of the reasons why people need to stay at home.”

As for the officers themselves, their shifts start in a roll-call room with new tables, temperature-testing equipment and disinfecting supplies.

Werth added that officers have increased the frequency of disinfecting the department facilities and also the cruisers. Officers disinfect before and after their shift, and any time after having someone secured in the back seat.

Prior to starting each shift, the supervisors have been trained in taking temperature readings.

“Since we operate 24/7 with multiple shifts, our supervisors are tasked with taking the temperatures,” Werth said. “Each supervisor has received training and instruction on the use of the thermometer and our protocols. Per the health department, we are testing to ensure the temperatures are below 100.4, which may be an initial indicator of the virus. We’ve also taken steps to better

compartmentalize the department to limit interaction between employees.”

Werth said officers have also received additional hands on training in the use of personal protective equipment from the Boardman Fire Department, specifically as it relates to protecting officers from the COVID-19 virus.

Dispatchers, too, have a change in format to deal with this virus. Werth said the dispatchers are screening every call for signs or symptoms of the virus, by asking a series of questions. They pass that information on to the first responders, who know they may need to focus on gearing up with protective equipment at the scene.

The department needs more protective equipment.

“There is enough for our immediate use, however that could quickly change if the situation deteriorates significantly,” the chief said. “We are currently trying to increase our supply of (personal protective equipment) but are trying to balance that with the immediate needs of the rest of the community to include our fellow first responders and area medical facilities, who also have a great need as well.”

As for being out on the roads, Werth said there are not presently a lot of problems.

“We’ve been very active in working with area businesses to answer questions related to the order,” he said. “I have spoken several times to the Mahoning County Prosecutor’s Office and Mahoning County Health Board to discuss specifics of the stay-at-home order and how and to whom it applies,” he explained.

“We have now spot-checked area businesses to ensure compliance with the social-distancing requirements. I believe stores in Boardman have been doing a good job, but again we need to limit our trips and time in the stores. People should not be shopping or browsing at the grocery store, Target, Walmart, Home Depot, etc. Those stores are essential and their employees are in harm’s way, much the same as other first responders. Go to the store with a list, quickly get your items, check out and leave to go home.”

He continued: ” The less time in the store each of us spends, the less chance of being in close proximity of someone that either we get the virus from, or we pass the virus to. I’ve seen mothers and fathers both together shopping with small children. People need to focus on ways to lessen their exposure and limit time in the community.

“Taking a drive to get fresh air is not OK. Again, going back to limiting the amount of traffic is important. I’m concerned with the weather changing we’ll see an increase in that, to include people out on motorcycles. To this point we’ve encouraged compliance at the local, state and federal level. We’ll continue to ask for that and increase our enforcement of the order as needed to ensure everyone’s safety.”

Werth added: “Just because you can go to a park, a church, out to go to a drive through does not mean you should. Less people out means less possible interactions. Our officers do not want to catch the illness and spread it to each other and their families, and we do not want to spread it to anyone else either. I would like to see traffic decreased even more.”