News Release
*COVID-19 Update*
In Rusk Co, we will not be randomly stopping vehicles because we don’t have reasonable suspicion to do so. We will investigate egregious/obvious violations…bars open, hair salons open, “non-essential” businesses open, etc.
Like it or not, until this is stopped or significantly slowed down, there will be government orders that will negatively affect freedoms for ALL of us. It is our opinion that the more action we ALL take immediately, the less this situation will affect us economically. If we ALL do not take this seriously, we will be battling this situation for a very long time, and the economic/health impacts will be much further reaching.
Please do your part so we ALL can get back to normalcy.
- DO NOT CALL DISPATCH AND ASK IF YOU ARE AN ESSENTIAL BUSINESS OR EMPLOYEE
- DO NOT CALL DISPATCH AND ASK IF YOU CAN TRAVEL HERE OR THERE
Please help us keep our dispatch lines open for emergency calls.
Wis. Stats. 323.10 gives the Governor the authority to make such an order, and Wis. Stats. 252.25 gives us the authority to enforce it.
323.10 Declaration by governor. The governor may issue an executive order declaring a state of emergency for the state or any portion of the state if he or she determines that an emergency resulting from a disaster or the imminent threat of a disaster exists. If the governor determines that a public health emergency exists, he or she may issue an executive order declaring a state of emergency related to public health for the state or any portion of the state and may designate the department of health services as the lead state agency to respond to that emergency. If the governor determines that the emergency is related to computer or telecommunication systems, he or she may designate the department of administration as the lead agency to respond to that emergency. A state of emergency shall not exceed 60 days, unless the state of emergency is extended by joint resolution of the legislature. A copy of the executive order shall be filed with the secretary of state. The executive order may be revoked at the discretion of either the governor by executive order or the legislature by joint resolution.
252.25 Violation of law relating to health. Any person who willfully violates or obstructs the execution of any state statute or rule, county, city or village ordinance or departmental order under this chapter and relating to the public health, for which no other penalty is prescribed, shall be imprisoned for not more than 30 days or fined not more than $500 or both.
We are asking for your Voluntary Compliance. That is what we want and we are hoping that is what you want.
As always, we are open for business. The Sheriff’s Office will continue to operate as we have.
Stay Home. Wash Your Hands. Stay Safe. We rely on all of you, like you rely on all of us.
Last Update: Mar 25, 2020 12:19 pm CDT
