Bucks DA 'Not Seeking To Prosecute' Shutdown Violators

BUCKS COUNTY, PA — As tension continues to rise among business owners who are increasingly pushing for a reopening of Bucks County amid the coronavirus pandemic, local law enforcement has weighed in, saying it's not their intention to prosecute violators of the governor's shutdown orders.

The Bucks County District Attorney shared the following statement with Patch on Wednesday:

The Bucks County DA’s office is not seeking to prosecute businesses or business owners who are in violation of these orders. We have communicated to all Bucks County police chiefs that it is our preference that they not investigate or prosecute them either, and to leave the enforcement of Governor Wolf’s orders to state enforcement agencies such as the Pennsylvania State Police. That decision is up to each individual municipality’s police chief, and board of elected officials. However, if a business is charged by law enforcement in Bucks County for violating the governor’s order, our office will review each case individually, and make decisions on prosecution based upon the totality of the circumstances.

Meanwhile, county leaders said they've received a response from Gov. Tom Wolf as to when Bucks will move from the "red" phase of mitigation to "yellow."

County officials and representatives from the Wolf administration had a meeting over the weekend, during which local officials asked that Bucks County be moved to "yellow" before the current stay-at-home order expires June 4. Local officials asked for a response from the governor's office by Wednesday.

Representatives from the governor's office responded Wednesday, saying Bucks County is rapidly moving toward the "yellow" phase of reopening, the Bucks County Commissioners said in a statement.

More information from the governor's office is expected within the next week, according to the Commissioners.

Several Pennsylvania counties, growing impatient with the governor's coronavirus mitigation strategy, have said publicly they're moving independently to lift the restrictions in an effort to get residents back to work. RELATED: Gov. Wolf, Counties Spar Over Coronavirus Mitigation Measures

Meanwhile, reopening supporters held a demonstration in Doylestown on Wednesday.

Bucks County's businesses have been closed since mid-March due to the coronavirus pandemic. A stay-at-home order was implemented statewide April 1.

>>>Full coverage of coronavirus in Pennsylvania