DES MOINES, Iowa -- Fighting Des Moines' face mask mandate will be met by police officers with free masks.
Des Moines Police Sergeant Paul Parizek told WHO Radio News he doesn't think enforcement of Mayor Frank Cownie's mask mandate this week will be too much of an issue. He says, "people are pretty tired of [the pandemic] continuing on," and he's hopeful to see the end of it sooner, rather than later.
Parizek said he doesn't think officers will be handing out too many citations, even though that's the official consequence of refusing to follow a city ordinance. Instead, they'll be handing out free face masks to everyone who needs one and encouraging people to wear them.
Cownie's ordinance requires everyone in Des Moines to wear a face covering in public places where six feet of social distance can't be maintained.
Des Moines police officers are handing out masks, and the City of Des Moines is providing free masks through the following partners:
- Des Moines Parks and Recreation
- Des Moines Public Library
- DART
- Blank Park Zoo
- YMCA of Greater Des Moines
- Central Iowa Shelter & Services
- Des Moines Botanical Garden