Jefferson County Placed Under Emergency Curfew

The Jefferson Commission met Tuesday morning to discuss the implementation of an emergency curfew in the unincorporated areas of the county.

Following a prayer and Pledge of Allegiance, the business of the resolution began:

We have one item of business. On this emergency agenda is a resolution implementing an emergency curfew. We have a-- This has been a moving target for us, having... after consultation with the county attorney, he has revised the order...

 

"This is a declaration of emergency conditions in Jefferson County.
Whereas on May 25, 2020, the heinous death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota while in police custody was viewed by millions on social media...
And whereas this unconscionable death has enraged millions and resulted in violence and destruction throughout the United States...
And whereas since that time, various municipalities within Jefferson County have experienced civil unrest to include damage and destruction of businesses in the form of burglaries, arson, and vandalism...
Whereas the Jefferson County Commission fully supports the exercise of First Amendment rights of its citizens and cannot support or allow the perpetration of criminal acts against the person or properties in Jefferson County...
And where there is a contingent uncertainty about the length of time in which the civil unrest will continue based on public displays of this nature throughout the nation and the county...
Whereas this situation coupled with the existence of the COVID-19 state of emergency further creates emergency conditions in Jefferson County, within the intent of the Alabama Emergency Management Act of 1955 as amended.
And now therefore be it resolved as follows by the Jefferson County Commission:
Beginning June 2, 2020 at 7:00 p.m., until 7:00 p.m. June 9, 2020, a public safety curfew for Jefferson County inhabitants shall be in effect between the hours of 7:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. No person shall between the hours of 7:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. each day while this curfew is in effect hold or participate in any demonstration, parade, march, or vigil or have any public ways or upon any public property, travel upon any public street, alley, or roadway or upon other public property except those in search of medical assistance, religious services, food or other commodity or services necessary to sustain the well being of themselves or their families or some member thereof.
Those traveling through the county from a location outside the county to another location outside the county, those returning to one's place of residence or place of employment or as necessary to comply with legally mandated government purposes in order of law enforcement or a court or those attending school related events or activities.
These restrictions shall not apply to employees of utilities, cable, and telecommunications companies and their contractors engaged in activities necessary to maintain or restore utility, official emergency management personnel engaged in emergency management activities, or in any other class of persons deemed essential to the provision of public order and immediately necessary to serve the safety, health, and welfare needs of the citizens of Jefferson County including law enforcement officers, firefighters, public employees, doctors, nurses, persons providing legal services, or a part of the judicial system...."

The resolution outlines others for whom the curfew does not apply.

This comes after a Sunday night protest in Birmingham led to the damaging of numerous businesses. Funds to repair many of them have already been accumulated.

Heat-Related Weather Terminology