PHOENIX — Gov. Doug Ducey issued a statewide declaration of emergency on Sunday. The curfew lasts each night from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. and is effective for one week.
Ducey is also expanding National Guard mobilization throughout the state.
As damage and violence continue across the country in the wake of the death of George Floyd, Phoenix leaders are anticipating a fourth night of unrest.
Local leaders and law enforcement had requested that Gov. Doug Ducey put a curfew in place to prevent the destruction of the previous three nights.
During the curfew, people are not allowed to be on any public street or in any public place unless they are:
- law enforcement, firefighters, paramedics or other medical personnel
- National Guard or any other emergency response personnel
- credentialed members of the media
- traveling directly to and from work
- traveling directly to and from the airport for a flight, work shift, pick-up or drop-off
- attending religious services
- commercial trucking and delivery services
- obtaining food
- caring for a family member, friend or animal
- patronizing or operating private businesses
- seeking medical care or fleeing dangerous circumstances
Anybody caught defying the curfew could face up to six months in jail and a $2,500 fine.
The Yuma County Sheriff's Office announced it would not enforce the curfew unless there is rioting.
The Cochise County Sheriff's Office also said "residents will continue to go about their daily activities, and businesses will remain open during this time."
The St. Johns Police Department said it also will not enforce the statewide curfew.
"However, this may change if situations surrounding the need for a statewide curfew develop in the City, the curfew may be enforced to protect our community."
Holbrook police also said on Facebook they would not be enforcing the curfew.
"We as a department respect the constitutional rights of our citizens and we will not infringe upon these God given rights," the department said in the post.
The chief of police for the Snowflake-Taylor Police Department also said they would not be enforcing the curfew "unless given a reason to do so.
"If you are out during the hours of 8pm-5am and your conduct is peaceful, we have no reason to enforce this order," Chief Robert Martin said in a Facebook post.
Several cities across more than a dozen states have already instituted a curfew to try and protect property, including in Minneapolis, Seattle, Portland, Denver, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Cleveland, Columbus, Pittsburgh and Philadelphia.
However, Ducey's declaration of emergency is the first statewide curfew implemented in response to the Floyd protests.
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