Waukesha Sheriff Not Enforcing Gov. Evers Statewide Mask Mandate

WAUKESHA, WI — One day after Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers issued a statewide mask mandate, Waukesha County Sheriff Eric Severson said his department is not going to enforce it, calling the order a "public health responsibility."

"The Waukesha County Sheriff's office will not be investigating, nor responding to, reports of
violations of individuals not wearing masks pursuant to the recent order from the Governor," he said Friday. "As Sheriff, I must prioritize the use of law enforcement resources, and I am not inclined to use our finite resources on what is essentially a public health responsibility. This decision is also consistent with the great majority of police agencies in Waukesha County."

While the Sheriff's office isn't enforcing the statewide order, Severson said some mask-related incidents may need a law enforcement response.

"This position does not preclude law enforcement from the necessity to respond and investigate
other crimes or violations that may develop, or have initiated, from a mask violation - examples
of this could be disorderly conduct, trespassing, criminal damage to property, etc.," he said Friday.