El Paso County Sheriff’s Office says it won’t issue citations to people not wearing masks
EL PASO COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) -- The El Paso County Sheriff's Office says it will educate the public on the benefits of wearing masks, but deputies won't be issuing citations for people who don't wear masks.
The Sheriff's Office tweeted Thursday afternoon that it "cannot afford to take actions that further erode the public trust in us."
The announcement was made just hours after Governor Jared Polis issued a mask mandate that takes effect at midnight. The executive order says people violating the mandate "may be subject to civil or criminal penalties, including but not limited to prosecution for trespass."
Read the sheriff's office full announcement below.
These are trying times in many aspects for law enforcement. We cannot afford to take actions that further erode the public trust in us. As such, the official position of the El Paso County Sheriff's Office is to continue to educate.. (continued in comments) #COVID19Colorado pic.twitter.com/BKfElK0G2d
— EPCSheriff (@EPCSheriff) July 16, 2020
()..the public on the benefits of wearing face coverings in enclosed public places. We will stress that wearing a mask will slow the spread of COVID-19 and save lives. We will not, however, be expending resources of the S.O. on issuing citations to individuals not wearing masks.
— EPCSheriff (@EPCSheriff) July 16, 2020
