South Lake Tahoe Police: We are in protect mode and we are not shutting down roads

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - As soon as the City of South Lake Tahoe issued an emergency order that allows them to issue administrative citations to those who violate California's 'stay at home' order, social media has been ablaze with rumors about martial law.

"We are not stopping cars unless it is for a traffic violation," stressed South Lake Tahoe Interim Police Chief Shannon Laney. "We are in protect mode for the community during this pandemic.

A rumor was started via social media, warning everyone that police were stopping all cars and identification was being checked.

Laney said this is simply not true.

"There is no martial law," he said. "We are not checking IDs, we are not closing roads."

Martial law is when the government becomes a military one and ordinary laws are suspended.

There has been an increase in police patrols since businesses had to close, Laney said. They are making sure they are protected and not the target of thieves.

For more on Friday's order, visit http://southtahoenow.com/story/03/27/2020/city-south-lake-tahoe-now-has-power-fine-those-violating-s....