County code enforcement officers involved in dispute over face mask use at Jonesville Publix

Alachua County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a call at the Jonesville Publix last week in regards to a disturbance between a customer and county code enforcement officers.

According to Art Forgey, Public Information Officer for the ACSO, Alachua County Code Enforcement Officers were at the Publix in Jonesville (14130 W. Newberry Road) to pass out masks and educate patrons of the county mask rule at the entrance to the store.

A customer approached them without a mask. The officers asked if he had a mask. The customer continued on and went into the store. The officers thought maybe he did not hear them and followed him inside.

Once inside they again asked the customer to mask up. The customer advised them he had a note from his doctor advising him not to wear a mask. The officers said that the customer became hostile and they returned back outside the store. The customer followed them, and continued to argue and use vulgar language.

Publix management intervened and law enforcement was called. 

No charges were filed and Publix chose not to trespass the customer, just ask that he not use vulgar language any more at the store.