City, Police and Fire News

In an effort to provide a central location for those in need and those who wish to make donations during the Covid-19 pandemic, the City of Redlands and the Redlands Service Club Council created the “Redlands Strong – Caring During COVID-19” web page.

The web page, which is linked to the City’s COVID-19 information page, includes sections “If you need help …” and “If you can offer help …” with links to meals, child care, medical and mental health services and others.

As part of the City of Redlands efforts to reduce the risk and spread of COVID-19, the City of Redlands Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center will remain closed indefinitely. The facility has been closed since the City of Redlands declared a state of emergency on March 16, due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

San Bernardino County residents (including Redlands) can utilize the San Bernardino County facility which is scheduled to reopen for normal business hours beginning May 4, 2020.

In keeping with California law requiring employers to establish and implement injury and illness prevention programs to protect employees from worksite hazards, including infectious diseases, the City of Redlands is providing guidelines to businesses in our community that continue to operate as essential businesses within the state and county public health orders.

As the Covid-19 pandemic continues, many Redlands senior citizens continue to need assistance.

The Redlands Community Senior Center and Family Services are currently distributing 120 meal packages to seniors every Wednesday at the center.

But the needs of low-income seniors and those at high risk, unable to leave their homes, is growing.

To assist, the City of Redlands Senior Services Division has teamed with the Redlands Community Foundation to establish a “Meals for Seniors Fund.”

San Bernardino County residents who display symptoms of COVID-19 including fever, cough and shortness of breath can get tested at five upcoming specimen-collection events through the end of April. 

“We understand the high demand for COVID-19 testing in our county and we are making every effort to organize drive-through events throughout the county,” said Board of Supervisors Chairman Curt Hagman. “We are working closely with state and federal partners and exploring all avenues to increase testing capacity, despite a nationwide challenge with shortage of supplies.”

During the current public health crisis, the Redlands Police Department continues to proactively patrol the City, protecting our residents and businesses, and to respond to calls for service and reports of crime. As always, we will prioritize calls for service based on call volume, available personnel and the severity of the call, with violent crimes, immediate threats and crimes in progress as our top priority.

Following public health recommendations to limit public gatherings during the Covid-19 pandemic, City Manager Charlie Duggan, acting as the City of Redlands Emergency Services Director has directed that City Council meetings be closed to the public until further notice or until the current local State of Emergency has been lifted. The City Council will continue to meet to conduct essential business.

The order is effective beginning with the Tuesday, April 7, City Council meeting. The City Council will consider an item at that meeting ratifying the decision.