Dear Glendale Residents:

As we enter the third week of the St. Louis County “Stay At Home” order, I want to thank all of you for your efforts to comply with the order so far.  I know that the order is inconvenient and at times challenging to obey, but these are unique and difficult times.  Success in stemming the spread of the COVID-19 virus depends on the actions of us all.  To better educate the public about the “Stay At Home” order, I’ve asked our staff to step up our engagement efforts and focus our communications with residents on the following core issues:

• If it isn’t an essential trip, such as to the grocery store, pharmacy, or gas station, or to grab your takeout order, please stay home.  If you need to go to the grocery or pharmacy, try and go when you think the fewest number of people will be there.  Many of these stores have been crowded in recent days as shoppers have fewer stores that they can visit.  No one is policing the trips you take, but please use common sense when going out.
• Go outside for a hike or a walk, but please do so responsibly.  Gathering in large groups for organized walking/running/biking violates the order and you may be asked to disperse.
• Don’t allow children to gather in groups.  This is especially difficult with the season changing to Spring.  City officials have witnessed and received calls about groups of children gathering at North Glendale for soccer and basketball games, as well as playing on the playground.  Kirkwood School District has closed all of their facilities in Glendale to the public, and this includes their playgrounds, soccer fields, and basketball courts.  We have requested better signs notifying the public of these closures. If large groups are seen there congregating, Glendale Police may ask them to disperse.  Glendale PD will also be speaking with “driveway party” attendees.  We understand these popup parties are fun, but when they get larger than 10 people, they pose a risk to the health of the community.
• Remember, social distancing is physical distancing, not emotional.  While it may not be safe to visit your older relatives and neighbors, please do check in on them with a phone call, email, or text message to let them know you are thinking about them.
• Finally, if you are out, please practice social distancing and stay 6 feet away from each other.  Your health, your family’s health, and your neighbor’s health are important to me.  We are all in this fight against COVID-19 together.

Once this crisis has passed, I can’t wait to see all of the block parties and neighbor-to-neighbor events that have helped make Glendale the best place to live in St. Louis County, but until then, please stay separate, stay safe, and stay home!

Mayor Mike Wilcox