The City of Monterey is asking residents, businesses and nonprofits to donate spare, new N95-rated masks to help protect first responders. The City maintains a supply of personal protective equipment (PPE) for use by firefighters, police officers and public works staff. Due to high demand and a potential increase in COVID-19 emergency calls, the City is asking members of the public to donate any spare additional PPE they may have in their possession. 

Starting on Wednesday, April 1, 2020, donations can be dropped off in front of the Monterey Peninsula Chamber of Commerce, located at 353 Camino El Estero, Monday to Friday between the hours of 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Only new masks, sealed in unopened packaging, will be accepted until Friday, April 10. NEWS RELEASE IN PDF

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City Manager Hans Uslar issued a local emergency proclamation today to help slow the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus). The proclamation will come before the Monterey City Council for ratification at its meeting on Tuesday, March 17. The emergency proclamation coincides with the State’s recent executive orders that provide cities more ability and resources to help contain the new virus. Despite having no confirmed cases of coronavirus in Monterey County to date, scientists and medical experts report that slowing the spread (also known as “flattening the curve”) of COVID-19 by reducing opportunities for transmission will save lives by giving police and fire personnel, hospitals, doctors, and vaccine-manufacturers time to respond and prepare for the outbreak. 

First on the list of new protocols are city facility closures, and city programs and event cancellations or postponements beginning Saturday, March 14 through at least March 31, 2020. 

“Our priority, first and foremost, is the health and welfare of the Monterey community.  While our community centers, library, museums, and sports center are valued by residents, visitors, and the public, we know that social distancing works and that these closures will help slow the spread of coronavirus in our community,” said City Manager Hans Uslar. “The Monterey community is compassionate, caring, and resilient.  Together, the City of Monterey and its residents, businesses and neighbors, will persevere through this epidemic and protect our community.” 

The City’s decisions are based on the Cal OES (California Office of Emergency Services) directive of three criteria for closures or cancellations: 1) if the gathering involves
over 250 people; 2) if the event allows people to maintain a six foot distance from one another; and 3) if the event attracts people in the high-risk category. The City also considered whether the service or event is essential.

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The Monterey Police Department is celebrating the City’s 250th birthday with an anniversary badge. For the first time, Monterey Police Officers will wear a “shield” badge. The badge was designed by Monterey Police Officers. NEWS RELEASE IN PDF

On March 5th, 2020 at approximately 7:34 AM, Monterey Police Officers were dispatched to the Bay View Academy at 190 Seeno Street regarding a report of a suspicious circumstance involving a juvenile being offered a ride to school by a stranger. Officers responded and spoke with the juvenile who reported he/she was walking a bicycle up a hill about one block from the school when he/she was contacted by a passing black car driven by a white female adult in her 40’s with blonde hair. The female adult identified herself as a parent and asked the juvenile if he/she needed a ride to school. The juvenile declined and the car drove away with no further interaction. NEWS RELEASE IN PDF

On February 29, 2020 at approximately 1107 p.m., Monterey Police Officers were dispatched to the Cypress Ridge Care Center, located at 1501 Skyline Drive in Monterey, for a report of a sexual battery against a patient. NEWS RELEASE IN PDF