TAMPA -- Tampa Mayor Jane Castor says code enforcement agents will hit the streets Thursday night... and start handing out fines, instead of signs and warnings.
At a joint news conference involving several mayors and commissioners, Castor said that code enforcement would be targeting "bad actors" that aren't enforcing mask-wearing and other COVID-related ordinances in Tampa and Hillsborough County. Fines could go up to $500 and second-degree misdemeanor charges are possible.
Wednesday, Hillsborough commissioners voted to ban service to standing patrons and bar crowds from gathering on dance floors. Similar rules already exist in Pinellas County.
Hillsborough County Commissioner Pat Kemp described COVID-19 infection rates in her county as "a line going straight up" in recent weeks.
Governor DeSantis issued an executive order in September barring cities and counties from fining individuals, but that doesn't extend to businesses.
Photo: City of Tampa