Eateries open despite order to be reported to town attorney

WICKENBURG, Ariz. (AP) — Two restaurants in a central Arizona community of Wickenburg that allowed people to eat in the establishments in violation of an order issued by Arizona’s governor to help stop the spread of the coronavirus will be reported to the town attorney for a decision on possible citations, police said Saturday.

Police Lt. Kenny Lutkiewicz said both establishments that will be reported based on officers’ observations Saturday were on Friday presented copies of Gov. Doug Ducey’s order barring dine-in eating during the coronavirus pandemic.

Nobody was arrested or issued a citation Saturday, Lutkiewicz told The Associated Press in a telephone interview.

“Our goal is to educate,” Lutkiewicz said. “”We are not going to place under arrest. We are not going to do that. However, we have to uphold what’s there.”

Lutkiewicz said there were strong feelings in the community about enforcement of Ducey’s order.

People crowded sidewalks and were inside several restaurants that were open for business Saturday, said Jack Howell, a Wickenburg resident who observed the scene.

“Everybody was well mannered ... but there was no social distancing,” Howell said.