NJ police chief says 'draconian' coronavirus order limiting holiday gatherings won't be enforced

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy

HOWELL TOWNSHIP, N.J. - Howell Township, New Jersey, Police Chief Andrew Kudrick Jr. told “Fox & Friends Weekend” that his department will not enforce Gov. Phil Murphy's "draconian" coronavirus guidelines for the holidays.

Murphy, a Democrat, has called for a 10-person limit for in-household gatherings.

“Our community is hurting,” Kudrick said. “I live here. I grew up here. I shop here. I go out to dinner here. And I talk one-on-one with our business owners… and I see how much they’re hurting.”

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“So as a police chief, in charge of 100-plus police officers, I felt it was just incumbent upon me just to let them know, and let my community know, that we’re not going to enforce some of these executive orders which I feel are basically draconian,” he added.

Kudrick said his police staff will not be “used” to go door-to-door in order to enforce these restrictions, especially since political activities have been exempt from the order.

“When we’re hurting in society nowadays, our friends and families are the ones that provide us support and lift us up,” he said. “And I wasn’t going to have my police officers going knocking on doors and ruining somebody’s holiday just to check how many people are inside their house. It’s not happening.”

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The police chief issued a public memo on Thursday stating his department will not respond to complaints regarding gathering limits, social distancing, or face mask compliance, unless an “egregious violation” occurs, and will leave it up to the community members to act responsibly.

“We the police will not be used to carry out orders I feel are detrimental to our relationship with our community. Or, will put officers in a no-win predicament such as being called for a social distancing or mask complaint,” he said in the memo. “Although justified in our enforcement, the perception will be the opposite and majority support will be lacking."