What should a Sanitation Enforcement Agent do upon discovering a severe violation?

When a Sanitation Enforcement Agent discovers a severe violation, the appropriate course of action is to issue a citation and, if necessary, close the facility until compliance is achieved. This response is crucial because severe violations typically indicate immediate risks to public health and safety.

Issuing a citation formally documents the violation and can initiate penalties or corrective actions that the facility must undertake to resolve the issue. Closing the facility ensures that unsafe conditions do not continue to pose a threat to consumers and the community. Timely intervention is vital in maintaining sanitation standards and protecting public health. This proactive approach underscores the agent's role in enforcing health regulations and upholding the safety of food and services provided to the public.

In contrast, providing warnings without immediate action would not effectively address the risks posed by severe violations. Scheduling a follow-up inspection in a year would also be insufficient, as it allows unsafe conditions to persist in the meantime. Referring issues to local media is not a regulatory action and would distract from the enforcement responsibilities of the agent. Therefore, issuing a citation and potentially closing the facility until compliance is achieved is the most effective and responsible action.