Long Beach will review how other cities are issuing fines for not wearing masks in public after the City Council on Tuesday voted to look into possible stricter enforcement amid record COVID-19 cases.

The plan was proposed by Councilwoman Jeannine Pearce, who said many residents have been asking why the city isn’t enforcing the statewide mask mandate.

Gov. Gavin Newsom in June issued an order requiring most everyone to wear a face covering when outside their home and near other people. Long Beach also has its own mask mandate that is aligned with state rules.

“It’s very difficult to see some of our small businesses close whenever we see people aren’t following the rules,” Pearce said.

City Manager Tom Modica said the city has so far relied on education and voluntary compliance. The city also has a Health Ambassador program with about a dozen young adults who patrol on bikes and beaches to educate people about health orders.

“Generally we tend to see pretty good compliance,” Modica said.

Modica said Long Beach could consider issuing a criminal misdemeanor or administrative citation, but stronger enforcement, especially if police are involved, could lead to use-of-force concerns if someone refuses to wear a mask.

Pearce said she would prefer to see volunteer or administrative enforcement rather than asking police officers to enforce the mandate.

“(Residents) want to feel safe and they want to feel like the city is taking this seriously,” she said.

Pearce also asked about stronger enforcement for city employees, particularly after a photo was made public showing members of the Long Beach Police Department gathering shoulder-to-shoulder without masks for a November training exercise inside the Long Beach Convention Center.

“As city manager, it is my expectation that all of our employees wear masks,” Modica said. “We are ramping up enforcement on that.”

Ultimately, the council voted 8-1 to ask the city to report back on options for enforcement and more information on what fines look like in other cities. 5th District Councilwoman Stacy Mungo was the lone dissenter after noting that some of her elderly constituents have been confused by the mask rules.

“We’re happy to talk to other cities that have found better solutions,” Modica said.

Here’s what other cities have done for mask enforcement:

Beverly Hills – $100 for a first offense, $200 for a second offense and $500 for a third

Berkeley – $100 fine

Calabasas – $100 fine

Costa Mesa – $100 fine

Duarte – $100 fine

Glendale – $400 for first offense, $1000 for second offense, $2,000 for a third

Hermosa Beach – $100 for the first offense, $200 for a second and $500 for third and each subsequent violation within a one-year period

Irvine – Up to $500 per day

Manhattan Beach: $100 fine

Santa Monica – $100 for a first offense, $250 for a second and $500 for a third

West Hollywood – $300 fine