Michigan Sheriff Declares He Will Not Enforce Gov. Whitmer’s Stay-At-Home Order

A Michigan sheriff is pushing back against Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s (D) extended stay-at-home order.

After receiving many calls from concerned citizens and business owners, “especially since the Michigan Legislature did not extend the state of emergency beyond April 30 as required by law,” Shiawassee County Sheriff Brian BeGole released a statement to share his office’s position on the executive orders made by the governor.

“The legality of that is a judicial branch determination,” BeGole said in the statement while explaining that his office has a “responsibility to serve and protect the citizens of Shiawassee County and to ensure their rights as described in both state and federal Constitution.”

Since his office is currently operating on limited resources and staffing, he insists their goal is to prioritize the office’s efforts and not exhaust primary resources on enforcing Whitmer’s stay-at-home order.

“With limited resources, staffing and facilities, our priority focus will be on enforcing duly passed laws for the protection of Shiawassee County citizens,” BeGole said, adding, “I have decided, within my authority, that our office cannot and will not divert our primary resources and efforts towards enforcement of the Governor Whitmer’s executive orders.”

Check out BeGole’s statement below:

https://www.facebook.com/1907841129500941/photos/a.1907848479500206/2638598596425187/?type=3&theater

Michigan’s stay-at-home order is set to expire on May 28.

While Whitmer has noted that the state is taking steps in the right direction, she insists they completely are not out of the woods yet. During a recent press briefing on the 🦠Coronavirus Outbreak, Whitmer offered an update on the state of Michigan as she introduced the preliminary plans for a phased reopening.

“This is good news for our state, our businesses, and our working families,” she said on Thursday. “We’re not out of the woods yet, but this is an important step forward on our MI Safe Start plan to re-engage our economy safely and responsibly.”

As of Tuesday morning, there are more than 47,500 positive coronavirus cases in Michigan. The state also has a death toll of more than 4,500.