City to enforce curfew during power shutoff

If and when PG&E turns off electricity in areas of Morgan Hill as part of a scheduled Public Safety Power Shutoff, the city is planning to enforce a temporary curfew in the affected neighborhoods.

Morgan Hill Police said in a press release that the curfew would begin when the power is shut off and continue until 6:30am Oct. 10. The curfew would only apply in the areas of the city where power has been turned off, and is intended to discourage loitering in darkened public spaces, according to city staff.

As of 8:45pm Wednesday, PG&E had not turned off electricity to approximately 38,000 customers in Santa Clara County, as the utility company announced earlier this week. The scheduled power shutdown is in response to red flag fire risk warnings and forecasts of high winds throughout Northern and Central California Oct. 9 and 10. 

The City of Morgan Hill’s public information office sent the following press release earlier today, announcing the potential curfew and the opening of a charging center at the Community and Cultural Center, among other updates:

·       De Paul Urgent Care Center will be open with regular scheduling until a Public Safety Power Shutoff occurs. In the event a Public Safety Power Shutoff takes place, the mobile unit will be available on Wednesday, October 9, 2019 until 10:00 p.m and during regular business hours on Thursday, October 10, 2019. Below are a couple of facilities that anticipate being open during their regular business hours:

·       St. Louise Regional Hospital located at 9400 No Name Uno in Gilroy.

·       Action Urgent Care located at 235 Tennant Station in Morgan Hill.

·       Concerta located at 190 Leavesley Road, Suite 102 in Gilroy.

·       In light of the delayed power shutoff, the City has delayed the implementation of the curfew until the power shutoff occurs. Once the power shutoff occurs, the City will be enforcing a curfew in areas impacted by the power shutoff. The curfew is intended for pedestrians loitering in areas impacted by the power shutoff. This curfew is for the safety of the community to reduce the opportunity for crime. Travel by vehicle and presence on one’s own residential property is fine. Please note that checking on neighbors is not considered loitering.

·       A Charging Center will be available at the Community and Cultural Center, located at 17000 Monterey Road in Morgan Hill at the Outdoor Amphitheater once the power is shutoff in Morgan Hill. Electrical outlets will be available on a first come, first served basis. It is anticipated to stay available through the duration of the power shutoff. 

·       The City of Morgan Hill reminds all community members to be responsible for their own emergency preparedness. Be aware of neighbors who are elderly, people with disabilities, or who otherwise might be more likely to need help. For emergencies, please call 911. 

·       Refer to www.pge.com/pspsupdates or call 1-800-743-5002 for the most recent updates. It is suggested to enter your specific address to determine if you are within the impacted area. If the website is down, please continue to check back or call.

·       Make sure that you are signed up to receive notifications directly from PG&E about Public Safety Power Shutoffs. You will need your PG&E account information to do this.

Please call 911 only for emergencies, not to get information. For information regarding the City of Morgan Hill’s services during a PG&E Public Safety Power Shutoff please call (669) 201-2565. This line will be staffed from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and callers can leave a message to receive a return phone call.