COLUMBIA COUNTY SHERIFF
WISCONSIN
SHERIFF BRANDNER STATEMENT:
RE: MASK MANDATE AND COVID-19
Yesterday, Governor Evers issued Executive Order #82 and Emergency Order #1 mandating the use of face coverings for all individuals, above the age of 5, who are indoors or in enclosed spaces who are present in the same room or enclosed space with someone who is not a member of that individual’s household or living unit. The order identifies that some individuals may have a medical condition or disability that prevents them from wearing masks. The Governor has asked for voluntary compliance.
The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office supports individual actions that can reduce the spread of COVID-19. Those actions include social distancing, disinfecting, washing of hands, use of sanitizers, staying home when sick, and wearing of proper protective personal equipment, including masks. We appreciate the efforts and personal sacrifices of many businesses and citizens in our community who continue to take steps to keep people healthy. We have seen an increase in safety barriers, social distancing practices, and great disinfecting procedures already implemented.
We have received a number of calls asking about the enforcement of that order. Violations of the Governor’s face covering order, standing alone, are not subject to criminal penalty. Instead, an intentional violation is enforceable through a civil forfeiture of no more than $200. Such a violation may be reported to a state or local public health official for follow-up or to a district attorney, who has statutory authority under Wis. Stat. § 978.05(2) to prosecute state forfeiture actions.
The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office will not be responding to complaints of individuals violating the Governor’s mandate nor will we be taking any direct law enforcement action as it relates to the Governor’s face covering mandate. There is an avenue already set up to report these violations to the public health officials or DA’s Office. Please do not call 911 to report mask violations in and of themselves.
We expect people to be respectful and if you violate this order inside of a business and the owners ask you to leave, then leave. Do not cause a disturbance over this mandate as that could meet the definition of disorderly conduct and that is enforceable by law enforcement. No one should be harassed for wearing or not wearing a mask. We anticipate that these circumstances will be rare but if they do occur, please call your local law enforcement if someone is disorderly or harassing you.
The State of Wisconsin has released some important information and a FAQ document; see link below. One of those answers the question on what to do if you see someone not wearing a mask, even thou they should be? His answer is “Nothing. Some people have conditions or circumstances that would make a cloth face covering difficult or dangerous. Just wear your mask and stay 6 feet away.”
The Sheriff’s Office will not play politics with its citizens. We should all take the basic precautions to keep each other safe while respecting each other as well. We will continue to dedicate our resources to protecting and serving our community and keeping it safe from crime.
Sheriff Brandner
CONTENT.GOVDELIVERY.COM
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RELATED LINK FROM STATE OF WISCONSIN:
