Saline County Judge Jeff Arey issued an Executive Order on Thursday, April 2nd, 2020, under his emergency powers to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. The order directs that juveniles in the unincorporated areas of Saline County must “stay at home” 24 hours a day unless they are accompanied by a parent, or working, or getting medical attention, or buying food or necessary supplies.
The Order goes into effect on Monday, April 6th, but parents and guardians are urged to begin complying immediately. Judge Arey’s Order mirrors language in a related emergency declaration by Benton Mayor Tom Farmer which applies to the city of Benton and also goes into effect on Monday.
Judge Arey explained, “I have been discussing this issue with other local officials, particularly Mayor Farmer and Circuit Judge Robert Herzfeld, who presides over Juvenile Court, for some time. I would strongly prefer that folks take this action on their own, but unfortunately that hasn’t been happening. We have been increasingly concerned about asymptomatic teens passing COVID-19 to one another and endangering themselves, their families, and our community.”
“Frankly, from what we’ve seen, it appears that the grandparents of teens may be at the highest risk of dying from COVID-19. We have asked and pleaded and suggested for parents to keep kids home, but we understand this is easier said than done. Judge Herzfeld suggested that issuing this order will, among other things, make it easier to do what they need to do to protect their families.”
“I want to make crystal clear, that the objective of this order is to save lives. Our objective is absolutely not to arrest a bunch of teenagers or their parents. We expect officers and deputies to use their best judgement in breaking up groups, sending kids home, and only issuing citations or making arrests as a last resort.”
“Should a citizen call 911 if they see a 17-year-old jogging down a path exercising? Please, no. We have to use common sense, but should they think about calling the non-emergency number if there is a group of teens hanging all over each other down by the river or roaming around East End unsupervised? Hopefully that won’t be happening, but Yes, a few words from a deputy telling them ‘to get on home’ might literally save lives.
This may not be a popular decision with some folks, and we understand that, but we don’t get elected to be popular we were chosen to serve and to make the tough calls.”
For more information contact Saline County Judge Jeff Arey at [email protected] or 501-303-5640.
Kay says
That is just so sad to see in times like we are going through right now everything is shut down or if you want to go out to eat it’s drive up get it and go parks are closed down the list just goes on and on kids missing teachers and friends teachers missing students and there was a group of teachers that wanted to cheer everyone up and this is what happens to them lts just low down and sorry as can be l hope that they get caught and the law see to them getting some time even if it is just on weekends and don’t just put them with kids their age put them in there with older guys ones that will scare the living daylights out of make a believer out them that if they keep doing things like this just what will happen to them that this is not no way to live if you want things in life get a job and work for what they want it will mean more to them if they pay for it their self
Velenu Cassar says
It’s about time this happened. I’m a 64 year old woman and unfortunately I live in an apartment complex where I see children congregating and running around in groups unsupervised every single day. I’m afraid to even step out my door anymore. Time for parents to stop this irresponsible and selfish behavior and do something about it. Lives are at stake.