Columbus police concerned public is giving up on masks

Columbus city leaders are concerned the public has abandoned safety measures put in place by local officials.

Columbus city leaders are concerned while the numbers go up, people abandoned safety measures put in place by local orders.

Wtva's rhea thornton has more on the columbus police chief's impassioned plea for people to stay safe and how his department will make sure orders are followed.

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"i'm outside of city hall here in columbus where police chief fred shelton held a press conference today about the mask mandate.

The chief said they have been having a little bit of difficulty with people not wearing masks.

He said these mandates are nothing new in the city."

Fred shelton - columbus police chief: "this is not something.

We put this out in october so again now we're at december and it's still an ongoing problem."

Shelton said the city of columbus reached its peak in the number of positive cases and deaths.

He added now is not the time to relax on the mask mandate.

Fred shelton - columbus police chief: "this is a public safety issue, not just a enforcement issue, but it's a public safety issue.

People are actually dying and so what we want to do is try to get things in place that eliminate people dying and getting infected."

Shelton said some bars and restaurants in the area aren't enforcing the mandates.

He said is made workers and community members feel unsafe... but things will change.

Fred shelton - columbus police chief: "we have heard their, the citizens complaints.

We've heard their cries and now we're going to address them."

Columbus police issued 8 citations to those unwilling to comply.

The citations ranged anywhere from 3-hundred to one thousand dollars.

Even though christmas is right around the corner, shelton said he and the department will do what it takes to keep this city safe.

Fred shelton - columbus police chief: "we're in the joyous season where people want to enjoy themselves and have a little christmas spirit or whatever, but again we have to be concerned about the overall health of the whole community."

Tag: the governor did not include lowndes county in his latest executive order issued yesterday.

Shelton said the columbus city order expires december 11th.

The chief said he thinks the mandate will be pushed further to help people in the community feel safe throughout the holidays.

Reporting in columbus, rhea thornton wtva 9 news.

The holiday season is here, but