Need to report a violation of Wichita’s mask ordinance? City opens hotline, email
After mixed messages from the city, Wichita now has a number to call to report violations of its mask requirement to protect against the spread of the coronavirus.
The City Council passed an ordinance Friday requiring masks be worn in public. Violators may be fined $25-$100.
Mayor Brandon Whipple, on social media, directed people to call the city’s fireworks hotline Friday after a county commissioner raised concerns about 911 being overwhelmed, he said.
Whipple later removed the social media post after he was told 911 would be better suited to handle mask complaints, he said.
Now, the city is urging people to instead call its non-emergency mask hotline at 316-303-8255.
Questions and concerns can also be sent by email to masks@wichita.gov.
A call to the hotline by an Eagle reporter Monday went directly to an automated voicemail system.
Anecdotal evidence suggests many businesses and individuals have not initially followed the new law. The Wichita Police Department, City Attorney’s Office and City Council have said enforcement of the law will focus on education, and fines will be a last resort.
“I think we would engage in education, information and officer discretion before we went into enforcement,” Wichita deputy chief Jose Salcido told council members Friday.
Anyone cited would likely have their fines waived by the city prosecutor if they show up to City Hall with a mask, City Attorney Jennifer Magana said.
Anyone needing a mask can get one for free at any of the city’s four police patrol substations 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday-Friday.
The city’s mask ordinance is separate from Gov. Laura Kelly’s executive order requiring masks, which Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt said could only be enforced through civil penalties after the governor’s emergency powers were limited by the Legislature.
The Sedgwick County Commission rejected Kelly’s order last week. But the City Council, exercising home rule, adopted an ordinance making masks mandatory.
The Kansas Constitution allows the ordinance to be enforced by the city, Magana said.
“Based on what I’ve analyzed, we have that authority under home rule,” she said.
A first conviction would result in a $25 fine, with second and third infractions costing $50 and $100.
With the exceptions of children 5 and under and people with certain medical conditions that prevent them from safely wearing a mask, all persons in the city limits are required to cover their mouths and noses with a mask or other face covering in public situations where 6-foot social distancing is not possible.
Employers must also require their customers and workers to wear masks in spaces open to the public. Employees working near where food is prepared or packaged for sale or distribution are also required to wear masks. At restaurants, customers may remove their masks once seated.
This story was originally published July 7, 2020 at 11:02 AM.