Rathdrum woman cited for violating isolation

A Rathdrum woman was cited Friday for violating Gov. Brad Little’s stay-home order.

Christa Thompson was cited by the Rathdrum Police Department as she was holding a yard sale outside a Colorado Street home.

In a press release sent Friday evening, Rathdrum Police Chief Tomi McLean said Thompson had been holding the yard sale for the past week.

“Officers were on scene on April 9, 2020, when the owner asked if the yard sale was in violation of the governor’s orders,” McLean said. “The officer educated the homeowner that the yard sale in violation of the governor’s stay-at-home order, and they were admonished not to have the yard sale. A copy of the governor’s order was given at this time.”

McLean said Rathdrum PD then returned three more times to the home, the most recent Friday evening.

“On April 10, 2020,” McLean continued, “a second officer reported that the homeowner will remove the yard sale signs and that they were sorting items in the yard and not having a yard sale. On April 13, 2020, a posting in Craigslist stated that the homeowners were having a yard sale at their residence. An officer approached the family and reminded them that they were in violation of the governor’s order. He then issued them a written warning.”

After police officers arrived Friday, they issued Thompson a citation.

“The Rathdrum Police Department attempted to educate and warn prior to issuing a citation,” McLean said. “Rathdrum PD has also received several complaints from the public in regard to the yard sale. This was a large non-essential yard sale that filled the entire front yard and into the backyard, as well. Yard sale items could be seen from Highway 41.”

Thompson did not respond to requests for comment.