Bartow, Fla.-(Newsradio 970 WFLA)-Polk County has lifted the hurricane curfew by order of County Manager Jim Freeman. That order is effective immediately.
Polk's curfew was put into place to deter crimes of opportunity, such as looting, and to provide safety for county residents in areas damaged by Hurricane Irma. Polk did have a number of arrests for both looting and curfew violations since Irma hit the county.
Both Sheriff Grady Judd and Emergency Management Director Pete McNally recommended that the curfew be lifted now that conditions are improving and power is being restored.