Social gatherings in groups larger than 10 were temporarily outlawed under Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds’ declaration of a public health disaster emergency March 17, and the authority of local law enforcement agencies to enforce the order was demonstrated Friday night in rural Greene County, where the sheriff issued nearly 50 citations to merrymakers at a teen kegger.
The Greene County Sheriff and Deputy Sheriffs and officers of the Gowrie Police Department broke up the gathering as a violation of the governor’s social-distancing orders about 11:30 p.m. Friday in the 200 block of Q Avenue, according to a report from the Greene County Sheriff’s office.
Greene County’s first positive case of COVID-19 was confirmed Monday, April 6 by the Iowa Department of Public Health. The victim was 41-60 years of age.
The adult tenant of the Q Avenue property, one of some 10 adults presentat the party, was issued a citation for providing alcohol to minors.
Some 34 citations were issued to the 18- to 20-year-olds present for possession of alcohol under age, and one young person, Levi Hollingshead, 18, of Boone was arrested for possession of alcohol underage and booked into the Greene County Jail.
Seven minors under the age of 18 were also arrested on charges of possession of alcohol underage. The youths were transported to the Greene County Law Enforcement Center and later released to their parents or guardians.
All the party goers were prohibited from driving from the rural residence and were required to call for rides, the report said.
Charges are pending against the Q Avenue property owner.
The Greene County Sheriff’s office is no stranger to underage drinking parties. A June 22, 2019, gathering at Flack’s River Farm Recreation involved one death and several injuries.
*A criminal charge is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
“Orders” are not laws, and cherry-picking enforcement is more troublesome. Would response be the same for a reported gathering for group prayer? Martial law is enforceable and is reserved for times of dire need because it suspends constitutional liberty, which should be valued and protected by the people. Fear of COVID-19 has resulted in the voluntary relinquishing of constitutional protections and the collateral damage is regrettable, meaning the cure is worse than the problem.