Andrew Dys
The Herald
YORK COUNTY, S.C. — Yes, there is a car that looks like an old police vehicle with the words “COVID-19” written on the door. Some people have seen it in York County near Lake Wylie and Clover.
No, it is not an active law enforcement vehicle, York County Sheriff’s Office officials say. And yes the car is legal. Even during the coronavirus pandemic.
The car has light bars on top that also are legal, said Trent Faris, spokesman for the sheriff’s office. However, it is not legal for anyone to use that vehicle for any law enforcement function, such as attempting a traffic stop, Faris said.
The car has a legitimate North Carolina license plate, Faris said. The car appears to be a former Gastonia, N.C. police car, Faris said. Gastonia cars have a black and white color scheme. York County cars do not have similar colors.
“Our deputies did a check on the car and it has a valid license plate and is legal to drive,” Faris said. “There is nothing illegal about driving it. And there is nothing illegal about having COVID-19 on it. No crime has been committed.”
Yet because of the concerns from residents, The sheriff’s office issued a public notice about the car on its public Twitter social media page.
https://twitter.com/YCSO_SC/status/1254850707720744961
In North Carolina and South Carolina, there is a state of emergency because of the coronavirus pandemic. The state of emergency gives local and state law enforcement departments and agencies special authority to enforce bans on gathering, and stay at home orders, Faris said. But there is no coronavirus or COVID-19 law enforcement patrol in use in York County by any state or local agency, Faris said.
“This seems just to be a person driving an old police car with the words COVID-19 on it,” Faris said.
People with concerns about the car can call the sheriff’s office or 911, and deputies will investigate, Faris said.