Huntsville Police cite 3 businesses for opening illegally during coronavirus closure order
In colbert county.
New details -- today, we learned huntsville police started writing citations for businesses violating the health order and being open when they aren't allowed to be open.
Waay 31's sydney martin is live in huntsville after talking with police about the citiations.
Huntsville police told me officers cited 3 businesses for being open when they should have been closed.
Officers also said they're getting complaints every day about possible health order violations.
Police said a beauty supply store, nail salon and furniture store were all caught with customers inside when they were supposed to be closed.
They're asking everyone to be patient until the health order is lifted... and said opening early is illegal.
The department said it started writing citations last saturday.
And all three businesses already received warnings about violating the stay in shelter order.
An officer explained how one of the stores tried to find a loophole to be considered essential.
"if you own a furniture store and have not previously sold grocery items you cannot implement that into your store just so you can get business.
And the thing that was a catch all..yes that was done.
But also there were customers coming out that just purchased furniture."
Officer kenny adams who is a community resource officer with the department told me the department started working with businesses as soon as governor kay ivey issued the order late last month.
Adams also told me once the city starts to re-open community resource officers will make sure everyone is being safe and abiding by any new guidelines.
The 3 businesses cited are each facing a fine of up to five hundred dollars.
Police said if they were forced to return to any of those business who weren't complying the owner could next face an arrest.
Live in huntsville sm waay
The City of Oxford is taking steps to make sure people wear masks at businesses.
