The Daytona Beach Police Department (DBPD) is implementing a new feature in its ongoing effort to stop the spread of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) in the Daytona Beach community.
In a press conference today (May 1, 2020) at DBPD Headquarters, the department unveiled its new “COVID Cards”, a small laminated sheet with questions and information written on it. It’s about the size of a standard card in a deck of playing cards.
“We designed these cards so that the officers can easily access all the information they need to protect themselves from anyone who might have been infected with COVID-19,” said DBPD Chief Craig Capri. “Being a police officer carries certain personal risks during a pandemic and we want to do all we can to eliminate that risk for our officers and the community at large.”
The cards can fit easily into a shirt or pants pocket and should always be carried by officers while on duty.
Officers are to use these cards when responding to service calls to ascertain that the people they are in contact with aren’t carrying the COVID-19 virus.
The cards have standard questions officers are to ask anyone they meet. They include how that person or anyone in their household feels currently, if they’ve traveled internationally within the last 30 days or if they or anyone they’ve been in contact with has COVID-19.
COVID Cards also list symptoms that officers are to look for when encountering anyone and reminders to take appropriate steps to protect themselves, including utilizing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as facemasks and gloves.
“The cards use an acronym known as AOR,” Capri added. “It stands for Ask, Observe and Respond. That’s what we want our officers to remember as they continue to patrol our streets and keep the Daytona Beach community safe.”
Around 400 COVID cards were created and delivered to DBPD headquarters this week. Our Training Unit is in the process of delivering these cards to every single officer who is currently on active duty.
We want to remind the public to keep following the guidelines issued by federal, state and local authorities in order to stay protected from COVID-19.