Chief Andrew Smith (GBPD)
GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) — Green Bay Police will be tasked with the enforcement of the city’s new face covering ordinance, set to take effect on Monday.
The rule, designed to stop the spread of the COVID-19 Coronavirus, requires everyone in any publicly accessible indoor space to wear a mask when not eating or drinking.
Police Chief Andrew Smith says his officers will be enforcing the face mask ordinance, but do not intend to assign a very high priority to mask complaints.
“Our officers have a lot of discretion. This is a very low priority for us,” Smith told WTAQ. “We have a lot of serious crimes occurring here in Green Bay…but we will respond if someone calls and is having an issue.”
Smith says officers are being instructed to educate first, and that citations will only be issued if someone is being particularly uncooperative.
“If someone is so recalcitrant that they won’t leave the business, refuse to put a mask on, and they’ve got no reason for not putting a mask on, they’re gonna force our hand,” said Smith.
Officers will explain to violators that the ordinance exists and try to obtain compliance.
One thing Smith does not want to see are residents trying to take enforcement into their own hands. During the ‘Safer at Home’ order, which ended in May, Smith says some people attempted to act as vigilante mask-enforcers.
“There are concerns that people are going to drive around and look for violations, and we did see that during the ‘Safer at Home’ initiative,” Smith said Wednesday. “I’m hoping that won’t be the case. I’m hoping people recognize this for what it is.”
The Green Bay Common Council passed the requirement during their Tuesday meeting in a 7-5 vote.
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