The Rehoboth Beach Police Department says that a group planning to storm the beach Saturday will not be allowed to protest on the beach.
With public safety as a priority, the Rehoboth Beach Police Department and its partners continue to prepare for the Re-Open Delaware event planned for May 16th, 2020. Beginning today, we will install crowd control equipment at the Bandstand area to provide safe areas for individuals on both sides of the Re-Open Delaware issue to safely gather and maintain social distancing, read a statement released by the city of Friday.
These areas will be clearly marked as participants arrive from Rehoboth Avenue. As illustrated in the above photograph, members and supporters of Re-Open Delaware are asked to gather on the Northside of the Bandstand in the area designated in red. Individuals with opposing views are asked to gather on the Southside designated in blue.
“In continuing our mission to ensure that we provide participants a safe, orderly platform from which they can be heard we ask that everyone, both participants and spectators, regardless of their views, respect one another by not resorting to threats, violence, or disorderly behavior. These types of actions will not be tolerated.”
The city is urging everyone, as a show of respect to one another, to adhere to the mandates established by the current State of Emergency regarding social distancing and the use of face masks. The health and safety of the residents and visitors of Rehoboth Beach remain our paramount concern. Courtesy towards each other is a critical step in making this a successful, safe event.
We remind everyone who plans to attend the event that while they take advantage of their right to speak they must comply with local and state laws, as well as, the Executive Orders of the Governor and the Mayor of Rehoboth Beach. We strongly warn that failure to do so could result in various consequences to include; the issuance of a verbal warning, a civil citation, and/or a full-custody criminal arrest, all of which is determined by the actions of the violator.
The Rehoboth Beach Police Department would like to thank the men and women of the Delaware State Police, the Dewey Beach Police, the Sussex County Paramedics, the Delaware Department of Transportation, and the Delaware Attorney General’s Office for their dedication and contributions to this effort.
Governor Carney has ordered the beaches open beginning May 22.