Grant County Sheriff’s Office addresses rumors

EPHRATA — Contrary to rumor, law enforcement officers will not be arresting people for violating stay-at-home orders, according to a press release from the Grant County Sheriff’s Office.

Gov. Jay Inslee issued a stay-at-home order Monday evening for all Washington residents, except for essential tasks and people in essential jobs. Law enforcement officers are not being asked to detain, arrest, ticket, or establish checkpoints for compliance to the order. In addition, rumors of strict enforcement or declarations of martial law are untrue, GCSO said.

Sheriff’s deputies are not going to communities or neighborhoods and checking to see if people are complying. Law enforcement agencies are urging people to comply voluntarily.

The primary job of law enforcement regarding the pandemic is engagement and education, GCSO said, teaching people about the restrictions, preventative measures and protecting people in high-risk groups.

— Cheryl Schweizer