STATEMENT ON COVID-19 AND TRIBAL CLOSURE FROM CHIEF O'ROURKE

As our community confronts the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic, I want you to know that the Yurok Tribal Police Department is here for you, our people and residents.

The Yurok Tribe has made the difficult decision to close the reservation to visitors and close tribally-controlled public spaces to non-residents. As Chief of Police, I want to encourage you to follow these guidelines and stress the importance of following them to your friends and family. If you feel that you see a violation of these emergency procedures, please call our Pandemic Hotline at 1-888-225-8952.

We have already started increased patrols in the Weitchpec area, have plans in place to step up our presence and availability during this crisis, and we will still be here for your calls and to keep the peace on the reservation.

We will be doing everything in our power to keep you safe, and ask that you follow and respect guidelines issued by the Tribe and the Yurok Office of Emergency Services.

The Yurok Tribal Police Department is coordinating our response with the Humboldt, and Del Norte County Sheriff's Offices to ensure the best possible service to our community during this difficult time.

We must all stick together during this challenging crisis, and our first responders, dispatchers and support staff will still be here to serve you.

Wok-hlew’

Chief Greg O'Rourke Yurok Tribal Police Department