If social media was to be believed, Morgantown’s Greenmont neighborhood was home to several large house parties over the weekend.
“The ‘parties’ were individuals sitting on their porches drinking and not in any groups larger than 10,” Morgantown Communications Manager Andrew Stacy said. “There are no prohibitions about consuming alcohol on private property.”
On March 17, Morgantown City Council passed an ordinance that gives City Manager Paul Brake the authority to impose a 10-person limit on gatherings at any time. Council could also call an emergency meeting and implement that restriction with a majority vote, Stacy said.
“What we wanted to do is be prepared,” Mayor Bill Kawecki said in a YouTube video, explaining the ordinance. “We wanted to be ready for the circumstances as they presented themselves so we could be more proactive as opposed to reactive.”
The limit is the same one guidelines provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend, Kawecki said.
However, currently the 10-person limit is a recommendation and not legally binding, Stacy said.
If it’s necessary, the limit can be made enforceable, Kawecki said.
Stacy said anyone who refuses to cooperate with police can be charged with obstruction or unlawful assembly, arrested and confined.
So far, the Morgantown Police Department has not had anyone be uncooperative, Stacy said.
On Monday, Huntington reminded its residents that police will respond to and investigate reports of large gatherings or nonessential businesses being open in violation of Gov. Jim Justice’s stay-at-home order.
“The Huntington Police Department will enforce the order on any large social gatherings that are outside its scope to the fullest extent of the law, including the issuance of citations or arrests if necessary,” Huntington Mayor Steve Williams said.
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