Philadelphia is the latest city to limit the number of arrests during the coronavirus pandemic.
Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw said Tuesday that police will delay arrests for nonviolent crimes, including drug offenses, theft, vandalism, and prostitution.
According to the new guidelines, officers should temporarily detain the offenders to confirm their identity and prepare necessary paperwork. Once completed, the offender should be released. Arrest warrants will be served at a later time, she said.
“If an officer believes that releasing the offender would pose a threat to public safety, the officer will notify a supervisor, who will review the totality of the circumstances and utilize discretion, in the interest of public safety, in determining the appropriate course of action,” Outlaw’s memo said.
Two cities in Colorado announced similar procedures as the number of confirmed cases of coronavirus rises.
More than 6,000 cases have been confirmed in the United States as of Tuesday night, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University.
