EL CAJON, Calif. (KGTV) — El Cajon Mayor Bill Wells said he plans to call for a special City Council meeting on Friday to discuss instructing local police officers not to enforce coronavirus-related regulations.
"The people of El Cajon are suffering and it is highly unfair and nonsensical that big box stores, grocery stores, club stores and now even schools are open while nail salons, restaurants, churches, and other businesses and organizations are shuttered," Wells wrote on Facebook. "My people are suffering from not only financial ruin, but many are enduring severe depression, anxiety, isolation, and many other emotional, spiritual and sociological deprivations as a result of this stunning governmental overreach."
Wells wrote that he will propose that the El Cajon Police Department stop enforcing mask, non-essential business, and social distancing laws.
Speaking with ABC 10News, Wells said that he understands that the county and state may continue to hand out fines or criminal charges on businesses despite the stance.
He added that he takes the virus extremely seriously but the mental health issues surrounding restrictions are too much.
"I don't enjoy taking a stand like this, this isn't going to be any fun. But I think my responsibility to the people are more important than my comfort," Wells, a mental health professional, said. "I want to emphasize I'm not telling people not to wear masks. I'm not telling people not to social distance. And I think people who are elderly with co-morbidities should stay in their homes and not socialize with people."
The council meeting will be reportedly scheduled for 3 p.m.
"The government is picking winners and losers, and if you're on the losing side you can lose your entire business and livelihood," Wells said.
