Phoenix police officers are taking temporary measures to help combat the new coronavirus, including possibly citing people accused of nonviolent crimes instead of taking them to jail.

Chief Jeri Williams announced the changes Tuesday in a three-minute YouTube video.

"Once on the scene, our officers are assessing each situation to determine the best possible solution for the safety of all involved," she said. "We are making every attempt to minimize transportation and exposure to the jails. However, if the situation is violent or dangerous, individuals will transport as necessary."

She said that officers will be going to restaurants that are still providing dine-in services and bars, gyms and movie theaters that are still open to educate staff and owners about Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego's and Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey's orders to keep nonessential business closed.

The mayor's order allows restaurants to provide delivery or take-out orders but discontinue dining in. The governor's order says that restaurants in counties that have COVID-19 cases must stop providing dine-in service.

The chief said the public should follow federal health recommendations to avoid large groups.

"We understand that this doesn't apply to family and friends who choose to get together privately. However, as a reminder, the CDC has advised against any groups larger than 10 people," Williams said.

She asked that people report certain crimes online such as stolen or lost property, ID theft and credit-card fraud, instead of going into a police station or calling 911 for an officer to respond.

She said that they are changing the officers' work schedules to address the changes in responsibilitiesand continue responding to calls. She did not elaborate about what those schedule changes would be.

'Temporary changes'

These are among the "temporary changes" Williams announced in the video.

"I want to share publicly some of the temporary changes we've implemented to improve our ability to respond to violent crime while minimizing contact with people potentially infected with COVID-19," Williams said.

She said the department will temporarily stop providing fingerprinting services to the public and will close the public-records-request lobby on 17th and Grant streets. People will still be able to pick up or make in-person records requests by appointment, or can submit requests online.

Some changes will also affect emergency operators.

She said 911 dispatchers are asking callers specific COVID-19 related questions.

On March 5, the department hosted a webinar to give first responders guidance on the issue and advised that all 911 dispatchers ask callers whether the patient has a fever, cough or respiratory symptoms — all of which are potential coronavirus symptoms.

If the patient does have these symptoms, the dispatcher is supposed to:

Recommend the caller avoid contact with the patient until medical help arrives.

Alert all first responders about the patient's symptoms.

Advise the first responders to wear a medical face mask, gloves, gown and eye protection when they come in contact with the patient.

"This helps our officers know what they are walking into when responding to a call for service," Williams said.

Law enforcement agency efforts

The chief's announcement comes as others in Arizona's law enforcement community have tried to find ways to help prevent the spread of the virus.

Maricopa County Sheriff Paul Penzone, who oversees the state's largest jail population, told the Associated Press that he has raised the possibility of asking courts to temporarily suspend the sentences of inmates convicted of non-violent misdemeanors who are currently allowed to leave the jail for work.

Maricopa County Attorney Adel Allister also announced last week that she has asked her prosecutors to asses cases before charging to help reduce the number of people who may be entering the courts and jails.

"When charging cases, look at the nature of the crime, the criminal history of an offender, and input from victims," she said in a statement last week. "And then balance this information with the need to reduce the number of individuals interacting with the criminal justice system at this time."

How to access police services

To make a public records request with Phoenix police, use its online portal at https://phxpublicsafety.dynamics365portals.us/, or call 602-534-5787 or 602-262-1693.

To pick up a public record or file a request for one in person, call 602-262-1885 to make an appointment.

If you need to report a nonviolent crime such as ID theft, credit-card fraud or stolen property, please visit www.phoenix.gov/police/policereport.

Uriel Garcia covers public-safety issues in Arizona. Reach him at uriel.garcia@azcentral.com. Follow him on Twitter @ujohnnyg.

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