Local News
Southern California Paddleboarder Arrested for Violating ‘Safer at Home’ Order
On Thursday, authorities had arrested a Southern California paddleboarder for allegedly violating the statewide “Safer at Home” coronavirus order.
On April 2, 2020, lifeguards have flagged the deputies at Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station about a male adult paddleboarding. According to the station's Facebook page, the paddleboarder “disobeyed lifeguard orders” to stop paddleboarding and get out of the water. “The suspect remained in the water paddle boarding for approximately 30-40 minutes,” the post added. “LASD boat was brought in from Marina Del Rey Station, once the Sheriff’s boat arrived on scene, the suspect complied and swam to shore,” it went on to say.
The authorities arrested the unidentified man for the “Violation of Government Code 8665” and for disobeying a lifeguard. They then escorted the man to Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station.
According to KTLA, officials did not release any identifying information on the violator. The man could face a $1,000 fine, up to six months of jail time, or both.
Going to the Beach?
Malibu paddleboarder arrested for violating stay-at-home order. Insane. https://t.co/oEDpSSvTHE via @nypost
— Tom Fitton (@TomFitton) April 4, 2020
“I wouldn’t go in the water if you paid me $1 million right now,” Kim Prather, an atmospheric chemist at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, said. According to The Los Angeles Times, Prather thinks the beach is dangerous as the spread of coronavirus moves towards California.
“Many beachgoers know they can suffer skin rashes, stomach illness and serious ear and respiratory infections if they go into the water within three days of a heavy rain, because of bacteria and pathogens washing off roads and into the ocean. Raw or poorly treated sewage entering the ocean also poses major health risks,” wrote The Los Angeles Times.
According to Prather, the virus could similarly enter coastal waters and transfer back into the air along the coast. “It’s not going to kill you if you miss a few surfing sessions, she said. She, however, emphasized that people may die if they breathe the wrong air.
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