PRESS RELEASE, 5.6.20, 4:16
WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. – The Navajo Police Department issued 274 citations during the Navajo Nation 57-hour weekend curfew, of those citations, 223 were for curfew violation and 51 were for traffic violations.
The police department’s efforts were in response to an extension issued on April 29 by the Navajo Health Command Operations Center to extend the weekend curfew for two additional weekends in May.
This is the Navajo Police Department’s fourth 57-hour weekend curfew operations. The operation consisted of saturation patrol in the eastern Navajo region. A noticeable increase of traffic on Highway 264 between Window Rock, Arizona, and Gallup, New Mexico, was observed, although a majority were essential workers and out of state travelers who were detoured due to the City of Gallup lockdown.
On Friday, May 1, New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham issued a three-day emergency lockdown of Gallup, New Mexico resulting in road closures of major access points into the city. The order was extended on Monday and will expire on Thursday, May 7 at noon.
The Navajo Police Department traffic team consisted of 12 officers dedicated to saturation patrol efforts throughout the weekend. The Navajo Police Districts also conducted patrol efforts in their respective communities.
The NPD Incident Command team is currently working on the upcoming weekend curfew operation to begin on May 8 at 8:00 p.m., ending on May 11 at 5:00 a.m.
Prior to the weekend curfew, the Navajo Police Department, Navajo Nation Rangers, and Navajo Department of Transportation conducted two days of public education checkpoints to inform travelers of the weekend curfew.
“Those two days were a part of our initiative to inform the public to be aware of the upcoming weekend curfew. We try to let them know ahead of time so they can prepare and plan for the weekend.” Chief Francisco said. “We also inform them that we will be doing traffic enforcement throughout the weekend and we encourage them to comply with the stay at home orders currently in place.”
Curfew violators who receive a criminal nuisance citation could be fined up to $1,000 and/or up to 30 days in jail. The penalties and fees are determined by the Navajo Nation courts. Anyone with questions regarding a citation they received during curfew hours is asked to call the Navajo Nation Office of the Prosecutor at 505-775-3238.
Navajo Police Department continues to inform the public that a stay at home order is in place and are reminded that travel should be limited for essential purposes or emergencies.
The following public health orders have been issued for residents of the Navajo Nation.
· Public Health Order No. 2020-001 – Limits mass gatherings on the Navajo Nation
· Public Health Order No. 2020-002 Requiring Closure of the Chilchinbeto Community for Quarantine and Isolation purposed to limit the spread of COVID-19.
· Public Health Order No. 2020-003 – Stay at Home Order for all residents of the Navajo Nation
· Public Health Order No. 2020-004 – Implementing a daily curfew from 8:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.
· Public Health Order NO. 2020-005 – Implementing a 57-hour weekend curfew from Friday, 8:00 p.m. to Monday, 5:00 a.m.
· Public Health Order No. 2020-006 – Extending the 57-hour weekend curfew for additional weekends throughout the month of April.
· Public Health Order No. 2020-007 – Mandating the use of masks in public due to COVID-19
· Public Health Order No. 2020-008 – Extending the 57-hour weekend curfew for two additional weekends in May.
If you have questions about public health orders, please call 928-871-7014 or visit their website at www.ndoh.navajo-nsn.gov
Christina Tsosie, PIO
Office of Chief of Police
Navajo Police Department
(w) 928.871.6363
(c) 928.206.9143
