Name: What Wayne, Oakland, Macomb sheriffs are saying about ticketing for face mask violations
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What Wayne, Oakland, Macomb sheriffs are saying about ticketing for face mask violations

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Detroit Free Press Effective Monday, Michigan is under a new executive order by&nbsp;Gov. Gretchen Whitmer&nbsp;that requires&nbsp;stricter use of &nbsp;to halt the spread of the novel coronavirus, including a $500 fine for noncompliance.&nbsp;But whether&nbsp;law enforcement will be handing out tickets largely depends on where you live.Under the order, the state's businesses are now required, with limited exceptions, to&nbsp;refuse entry and services to those who refuse to wear a face covering. The masks or face coverings are required in all indoor public spaces and crowded outdoor spaces.Failure to comply with the order is a misdemeanor and carries a $500 fine.Michigan county sheriffs surveyed by the Free Press on Monday were split on enforcement.More:&nbsp;More:&nbsp;Livingston County Sheriff Michael J. Murphy said his office will not be enforcing the executive order.&nbsp;Murphy noted that&nbsp;it's&nbsp;important to wear a&nbsp;mask when out in a public space.But with a spike in calls for mental health, domestic violence and&nbsp;suicide on top of the typical call load,&nbsp;Murphy said&nbsp;his department simply doesn't have the resources.Also read:&nbsp;The Macomb County Sheriff's Office posted on Facebook Monday that they encourage everyone to wear a mask, but they will not be issuing citations if a person chooses to not wear a mask. If a business wants to enforce a face mask, they may, said the Facebook post.&nbsp;"The Sheriff's Office will respond to an establishment that contacts us regarding a person(s) being non-compliant with wearing a face mask, or who does not leave a business," said the Facebook post.&nbsp;The Facebook post recommends calling 888-535-6136 or sending an email to to report a complaint against a person not wearing a mask or a business that isn't enforcing the order. The police will handle the situation based on what the establishment representative or business owner prefers.&nbsp;A spokesman for the&nbsp;Oakland County Sheriff's Office said the agency plans to respond to face mask complaints."Nothing has changed from day one for us," said Undersheriff Michael McCabe in a written statement.&nbsp;"The governor’s newest order regarding masks will fall under already long-established (sheriff's office)&nbsp;protocols."When violations occur, they are sent to the Health Division. Once the violation is received, the Health Division will decide to proceed with forwarding the violation to the attorney general, said McCabe."Well over 92% of the calls we get for violations have been unfounded," said McCabe in a statement.&nbsp;"Clearly, with all the litigation over the enforceability of these orders, it will be up to the prosecutor of record and the courts to make a determination."Wayne County Sheriff's Office public information officer&nbsp;Pageant Atterberry stated that the county will be enforcing the new executive order.The Wayne County Health Department is taking the lead on the order, but the Sheriff's Office plans to assist when needed, Atterberry said.&nbsp;Atterberry says if they are doing a regular patrol and pass by someone not wearing a mask, they will address it and issue a warning. If they find that they have to continue addressing the situation, they will be issuing a $500 fine, said police.&nbsp;But in west Michigan, Van Buren County Sheriff Daniel Abbott said his office . Abbott told that the office will protect citizens and their constitutional rights and civil liberties.Rather than cracking down on mask violations, Abbott said his office will focus on investigating crimes.Abbott said violations should be reported to the Michigan State Police or the state attorney general's office.Detroit Free Press news intern Meredith Spelbring contributed to this story.&nbsp;Contact Detroit Free Press Freep Now intern&nbsp;Chanel Stitt at cstitt@freepress.com.

Detroit Free Press Effective Monday, Michigan is under a new executive order by&nbsp;Gov. Gretchen Whitmer&nbsp;that requires&nbsp;stricter use of &nbsp;to halt the spread of the novel coronavirus, including a $500 fine for noncompliance.&nbsp;But whether&nbsp;law enforcement will be handing out tickets largely depends on where you live.Under the order, the state's businesses are now required, with limited exceptions, to&nbsp;refuse entry and services to those who refuse to wear a face covering. The masks or face coverings are required in all indoor public spaces and crowded outdoor...

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Chanel Stitt

The Detroit Free Press is the largest daily newspaper in Detroit, Michigan, US. The Sunday edition is titled the Sunday Free Press. It is sometimes referred to as the Freep (reflected in the paper's web address, www.freep.com). It primarily serves Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Livingston, Washtenaw, and Monroe counties.  The Free Press is also the largest city newspaper owned by Gannett, which also publishes USA Today. The Free Press has received ten Pulitzer Prizes and four Emmy Awards. Its motto is "On Guard for 189 Years".

What Wayne, Oakland, Macomb sheriffs are saying about ticketing for face mask violations

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