Walworth County Sheriff Kurt Picknell again last week said the department will not be responding to complaints of individuals suspected of violating Gov. Tony Ever’s extended face mask mandate, nor take any direct law enforcement action as it relates specifically to the governor’s face covering mandate.
“Consistent with our understanding of the Executive Order the goal is education and compliance and not meant to be punitive,” Picknell stated in a post on Facebook.
The Walworth County Sheriff’s Office will continue to respond to reports or complaints from the public and business owners who have requested that an individual leave a premise for failing to comply with the face covering mandate as it relates to that specific premise.
“We also understand that some individuals may have medical conditions or disabilities that prevent them from utilizing masks,” Picknell said.
“We anticipate that these circumstances will be rare. In those situations, our focus is not on the face covering order itself, but rather the fact that the individual is not wanted in a particular place, that the individual has been asked to leave and has not complied with the request of the person in control of that premise,” he added.
This enforcement response is consistent with a majority of law enforcement agencies throughout Wisconsin, according to the press release.
The Walworth County Sheriff’s Office supports individual actions that can be taken to reduce the spread of COVID-19, the release stated. Those actions include, but are not limited to, social distancing, proper washing of hands, use of hand sanitizers and the use of proper protective personal equipment, including masks.
Picknell said in the press release they appreciated the efforts of the public and business owners who have taken numerous steps to keep people healthy including but not limited to the use of safety barriers, social distance arrangements, as well as disinfecting procedures.
County residents may call 211 with any questions specifically related to this Executive Order.
The Walworth County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch Center remains focused on emergency 911 calls, Picknell said.
