Sheriff slow rolls enforcement of stay-at-home order

The Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s Office will not take immediate “enforcement action” against alleged violators of the governor’s stay-at-home executive order.

The order for residents to stay home and businesses to cease public operations – aside for certain scenarios and taking specific precautions – is intended to slow the spread of COVID-19, reducing infection rates and protecting the health system from being overloaded.

In a response to “questions regarding enforcement” of the order, the sheriff’s office said in a statement Friday that it will still field complaints, but response will depend on other priorities.

“Communication, education, warnings, and monitoring will be used during the initial phase of any investigation,” the statement said. “Any enforcement action would be taken after all other efforts have met with noncompliance. The Kalamazoo County Prosecutor’s Office will review ongoing willful violations of this executive order, which may result in prosecution.”

On Thursday, the sheriff’s office opened a hotline specifically for calling in executive order complaints.

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