On Monday, January 18, 2021, after further investigation into an excessively attended social function at his home, David Pizarro, age 48, of 1491 Huntington Turnpike was issued an Infraction for violating (Executive Order) EO-9B-2b. This order imposes limitations for hosting a gathering, whose numbers indoors exceeded twenty-five people, and includes the fine amount of $500.
Due to the severity and magnitude of this incident during the current health crisis, the State’s Attorney’s office is reviewing the circumstances and evidence related to this case to determine if additional charges will be filed.
On Saturday, January 16, 2021 at about 11:30 p.m., the Trumbull Police were notified of a traffic hazard with many cars parked on lower Huntington Turnpike, near the Bridgeport town line. As officers arrived, they discovered that a large gathering was taking place at a nearby residence.
Officers went to the source of the gathering where they met with the resident, David Pizarro, and had him break up the party that he was hosting. Police needed to rectify the parking situation and also to have everyone comply with the current COVID-19 social gathering restrictions. Officers observed many more than the limited 25 persons inside of Pizarro’s residence as they remained on scene in order to facilitate an orderly exit of the guests without any additional issues. Daniel Pizarro was cooperative throughout police interaction.
Executive Order: EO-9B-2b, which was signed in effect by Governor Ned Lamont on September 15, 2020 states “any person or business entity who organizes, hosts, or sponsors a gathering that violates the gathering size restrictions set forth in the DECD Rules for Gatherings and Venues and Sector Rules for Outdoor Events issued pursuant to Section 2 of Executive Order No. 7ZZ and Section 2 of Executive Order No. 7NNN, as amended from time to time, shall be guilty of a violation and fined five-hundred dollars.” Private, social and recreational gathering sizes in private residences are limited to the capacity of 25 people indoors, and a capacity of 100 people outdoors.
It was through the combined efforts of an observant citizen and the enforcement action taken by the police that provide awareness of the danger involved with violations of the social gathering restrictions during the current pandemic.