SYRACUSE — At his press conference Wednesday Governor Cuomo was not happy that not everyone is wearing masks, and says perhaps it is up to the people to enforce it.
“We have had compliance issues all across the state,” said Governor Cuomo. “But the local governments, the establishments, and even people have been policing.”
Syracuse Police have said they do not want to criminalize the pandemic, and have taken more of an educational approach.
The Onondaga County District Attorney, William Fitzpatrick, agrees.
“At some point, common sense has to prevail,” said Fitzpatrick. “I do not want police officers to respond to some guy at Lowes who is not wearing a mask, but he or she should not be served, you just have to leave.”
Governor Cuomo said he has seen people enforce the rule themselves by telling other people, and even strangers, to put on a mask.
Doron Dorfman is a professor at Syracuse University who has done extensive research on policing by everyday people.
“I worry that if we only allow lay people to enforce rules and norms, they may not have the best experience with that,” said Professor Dorfman. “There is a lot of bias, perception, and stereotypes that come with it.”
He says with the current policing climate, police may not be the best to enforce the rules either.
Instead, he thinks business owners should feel empowered to do so.
“If we have those public health requirements about wearing masks in closed spaces, the people who own those closed businesses, like restaurants and businesses, will be in the best position to enforce those laws,” said Professor Dorfman.
Professor Dorfman also says he believes the root of the problem is that wearing a mask has become a political issue, when in reality it is a health measure.