No Mask? Prepare To Get A $100 Fine In Manhattan Beach
MANHATTAN BEACH (CBSLA) – Manhattan Beach became the latest city in Los Angeles County to begin fining people not wearing masks in an effort to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
By a 4-1 vote, the Manhattan Beach City Council approved an emergency order under which those not wearing masks can receive a $100 citation. The fine will increase with each additional offense.
"It's great to educate…we started on the right path, but they're not following along, and this has to get their attention," Manhattan Beach Mayor Richard Montgomery said during Tuesday night's meeting. "And I guarantee you, you go to their pocket book, they will pay attention to us and realize we're serious about it. We're following West Hollywood, we're following Santa Monica, we're doing the right thing and go after them. People at the beach, people on our Strand, our parks, our green belt, we're gonna see you, and if we see you, citation, the warning days are over."
The only council member to vote against the measure was Mayor Pro Tem Suzanne Hadley.
"I would be yes for enforcement, but I think $100 is too much," Hadley said.
Earlier this month, the cities of both West Hollywood and Santa Monica announced they would give out citations for people not wearing masks. In West Hollywood, a first-time violation comes with a $250 fine, with a $1,000 fine for a second offense.
In Santa Monica there is a $100 fine for a first violation, $250 for a second violation and $500 for a third violation.
Back in April, Beverly Hills announced that anyone not wearing a mask could be hit with a fine of up to $1,000.
It's unclear how many citations have been given out in each city.
Manhattan Beach residents had mixed feelings about the new mandate.
"Yes, in public places, I think it's a great idea," one resident told CBSLA Thursday. "But, if I'm walking my dog around the block, I don't think I need to wear a mask."
Others said that if city officials want to enforce a mask mandate, then they should help supply masks before issuing citations.
"Are they going to hand out free masks to everybody?" asked one man visiting the area. "Cause how can you enforce something when you're not supplying it?"
