Lehigh Township Police Department gave Becky’s Drive-In a verbal warning May 22 after they opened while Northampton County is still in the red phase.

Owners of the 4548 Lehigh Drive, Walnutport, drive-in thought they could open following a conversation they say they had with a state lawmaker and a call to the police department.

Chief of Police Scott Fogel said the police department “did not give any permission for Becky’s to open. At no time did the owner or manager speak with me regarding opening.”

The Becky’s owners were issued a verbal warning and were told they were in violation of Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf’s order closing non-life-sustaining businesses.

“Whether the police agree with the order is not relevant,” Fogel said. “We still have a duty to recognize the law and enforce it if necessary. I am afraid Becky’s was given some inaccurate information with regard to opening.”

Cindy Deppe, one of the co-owners of Becky’s, said she called the police department May 15, but she did not talk to the chief because he wasn’t in the office at the time. She said she left a message about the intent to reopen the drive-in May 22.

“Safety is the utmost importance for our patrons and employees,” she said. “We would have never have thought to reopen if we didn’t think everyone would be safe watching movies at our drive-in.”

In a May 22 announcement, Wolf declared Northampton County and the remaining counties in red will move to yellow June 5.

Becky’s will hold off on reopening until that evening.