City Manager Declares Local Emergency Following Incidents of Violence and Vandalism.
Santa Rosa, CA — Incidents of violence, looting, and vandalism occurred in the downtown Santa Rosa area the past two nights following daytime peaceful community protests spurred by George Floyd’s death in Minneapolis. Today, the City of Santa Rosa declared a local state of emergency as a result of this widespread criminal activity and because of concerns that more could potentially occur in the coming days.
To keep community members safe and still support peaceful protests, Santa Rosa City Manager, Sean McGlynn, in consultation with Santa Rosa Chief of Police Rainer Navarro, has implemented a citywide curfew effective within the Santa Rosa city limits from 8 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. for the next three nights, beginning Monday, June 1, 2020 and ending the morning of Thursday, June 4, 2020.
“Following the senseless tragedy in Minneapolis, I stand with our community that is outraged by police brutality against people of color. Gathering in protest to express our anger and frustration of individuals abusing power is our constitutional right,” said Santa Rosa City Manager Sean McGlynn. “However, we recognize that there was a difference the last couple nights between those that were protesting peacefully and those that clearly came out to commit acts of violence and destruction. This curfew will help us to better protect our community from those who mean to do harm.”
The curfew is mandatory and requires all people within the City of Santa Rosa to stay at home from the hours of 8:00 p.m. until 5:00 a.m. Individuals exempt from the curfew include:
- Law enforcement personnel, firefighting personnel, emergency health care providers and other emergency personnel deployed in the area
- Credentialed media representatives
- Gas stations, pharmacies, cannabis dispensaries, and medical facilities
- Individuals who are in such place for the sole purpose of traveling to and from work or to obtain medical assistance
- Individuals who report to work so as long as businesses are closed to the public during the curfew time (8 p.m. to 5 a.m.) and operating in compliance with the County Health Officer’s Shelter-In-Place order
- Persons who are experiencing homelessness who remain sheltered in place in a single location
The intent of the curfew is to protect the community from individuals that disrupt peaceful protests. The Santa Rosa Police Department is asking for voluntary compliance to protect all citizens, including first responders and essential employees.
“The men and women of the Santa Rosa Police Department share your anger and frustration with the death of George Floyd. His death has further eroded trust nationwide in those entrusted to protect and serve,” said Santa Rosa Chief of Police, Rainer Navarro. “I stand unified with our community that wishes to peacefully protest this injustice and I am committed to starting a dialogue for meaningful change in our city.”
The curfew is ordered subsequent to the City Manager proclaiming the existence of a local state of emergency on Monday, June 1, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. and shall remain in effect through Thursday, June 4, 2020. Residents will be notified of the curfew via SoCo Alert, Nixle, City Connections (email news alerts), and social media channels.
“After the escalation of unlawful activities occurring in our community over the last couple of nights, myself and the other members of the City Council fully support the City Manager’s decision to issue a curfew to protect the health and safety of our residents. We stand behind our community members who wish to peacefully protest,” said Santa Rosa Mayor, Tom Schwedhelm. “And this curfew is a tool to facilitate peaceful protests without the disruption of violent and destructive criminal behavior. To all Santa Rosans, please be heard, but please be safe.”
To review and sign up for emergency notifications, visit SRCity.org/KnowYourAlerts. For the latest updates on this local emergency, including road closures, how-to report a problem, and more please visit SRCity.org/Emergency.
[EDIT 6/1/20 @ 5:05 p.m.: updated to clarify who is exempt from the curfew order.]