APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) — A viral video depicting local police is causing a stir on social media.
The video shows two Appleton police officers shutting down a youth baseball practice at the USA Youth Sports Complex in Appleton on Thursday in an effort to enforce Governor Tony Evers’ “Safer-at-Home” order amid the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Appleton resident Steve Haen was out jogging when he shot the video.
“I don’t mean for this to put the officer in a negative light,” Haen told WTAQ. “I thought he was very professional. I support the police, this video was just meant to shed some light on how the situation has deteriorated.”
The video has been shared over 2,000 times on Facebook and viewed over 91,000 times. You can watch it by clicking here. The roughly 13 minute video shows an Appleton Police officer approaching a member of the team’s coaching staff and informing him the team has to disperse. A second officer later arrives.
While officials wouldn’t comment on the specific situation depicted in the video, Appleton Police Spokesperson Megan Cash says Governor Tony Evers’ ‘Safer-at-Home’ order has been a difficult one for police to navigate.
“This is a difficult position that law enforcement officers have been put in. So we’ve been navigating through it as best as we can,” Cash said Friday. “Our ability to use discretion under some of the orders that have been put out is limited right now.”
Park facilities in Appleton are closed and gatherings of more than ten are still prohibited.
