New York County Arrests First Person under New Mask Ban

A suburban New York county on Long Island issued its first arrest over the weekend in relation to a new mask ban that prohibits protesters from wearing facial coverings in public spaces while providing exceptions for people who wear masks for medical or religious reasons, local authorities said Tuesday.

Earlier this month, Nassau County executive Bruce Blakeman signed the Mask Transparency Act into law after the Republican-controlled legislature unanimously passed the bill. Nassau County police pointed to the recent arrest as proof that the ban works.

Police identified Omar Ramirez Castillo, 18, as the first person arrested under the new law. Wearing a mask and all-black clothing, the man was arrested Sunday evening in response to reports of suspicious behavior. Officers spotted a bulge in his waistband — the bulge happened to be a 14-inch knife. The suspect initially refused to comply as he was placed under arrest. No injuries were reported during the encounter.