STURGIS, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — The Sturgis Police Department (SPD) will not be enforcing Governor Whitmer’s mask order, the department announced Monday.
Public Safety Director Geoffrey D. Smith issued the following letter, which can be read in its entirety below:
“During the recent COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Whitmer has issued a series of Executive Orders (EO), many of which have penalties or enforcement actions associated with them.
At this time, the Sturgis Police Department is asking the public to contact the Michigan Attorney General via the Governor’s Constituent Services office at 517-335-7858 with any complaints you have regarding the Governor’s EO’s or any potential enforcement actions resulting from these EO’s.
This includes the most recent EO requiring face masks to be worn in public buildings.
Due to the number and complexity of the EO’s as well as potential volume of complaints, we believe the Attorney General’s Office will be best equipped to address these calls. We ask that you please do NOT contact the Sturgis Police Department to file a complaint regarding possible violations of the Governor’s EO’s at this time.
Thank you for your patience during this unprecedented time in history and remember, be kind to one another, even if you disagree with what they do or say.”
In a later statement, Smith and Deputy Police Chief Ryan Banaszak issued an update to the letter for clarification:
“We simply do not have the staffing to respond to every call from a citizen concerned about another person not wearing a mask,” the update reads in part. “We have been in contact with our local businesses through the Sturgis Area Chamber of Commerce to discuss how and when we can be of assistance to them in handling these situations. We continue to work through the ever changing Executive Orders related to this pandemic and encourage everyone to follow the current Executive Orders, CDC Guidelines and best practices along with recommendations from the local Health Department.”
The news from Sturgis comes after a similar announcement was made by the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office, which stated that executive order violations would be referred to the state Attorney General’s office or the State Police.
The statement from Van Buren County can be viewed at this link.
