LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — In support of Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak's mandatory closure of all nonessential businesses, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department said it has begun compliance checks of companies that remained open and in violation of the order starting Saturday.
The LVMPD's Special Investigations Section will be conducting the compliance checks.
Also, officers have been dispatched to businesses reported by the public through the department's non-emergency 3-1-1 phone number and emails to the LVMPD.
“There was a cop sitting in a unmarked car in our parking spot,” says Minh, owner of Smokes Mart.
Small businesses like Smokes Mart, near Flamingo and Fort Apache, rely on people walking in.
They’ve closed the physical store to customers already, but now they aren’t even able to do curb side pick ups, either.
“We’re in the same place as all the other businesses that shut their doors, so financially its going to be a real crunch for us,” says Minh.
RELATED: Gov. Sisolak orders all nonessential businesses in the state to shut down
Authorities said business owners, or managers, are given a copy of the governor's emergency directive and a letter from the special investigations section stating that they violate the governor's order.
The owners or managers then must sign the letter as proof of notification, and officers will standby while the business is closed.
If a business owner believes they are essential, they can appeal to the city or county business license.
RELATED: Confusion remains over nonessential Vegas business closures
The Special Investigations Section officers will be in plain clothes but are identifiable as law enforcement by their badge and other police equipment, according to the LVMPD.
