DODGE — The Dodge County Sheriff spoke out on Saturday regarding Gov. Tony Evers' Safer at Home order, requesting that Evers re-evaluate the situation.
Sheriff Dale Schmidt voiced his concerns in the Sheriff's Column which was posted on Facebook Saturday morning. Within that column, he addresses issues that his community currently faces regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Sheriff Schmidt wrote that several lawsuits will likely be filed later this week from citizens who claim the Safer at Home order infringes upon their constitutional rights.
He said he has been concerned with the constitutionality of the order since the beginning. Because of these concerns, he directed all of his deputies to contact him before closing a business or making an arrest in relation to the order.
Sheriff Schmidt wrote, "My intent with my order was to evaluate each incident individually to ensure no constitutional rights were infringed upon by actions of the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office."
The sheriff also stated that he has been in contact with state officials in an effort to make sure his citizens are safe from both the virus and any orders that may be unconstitutional.
Finally, at the end of his column, Sheriff Schmidt addressed Gov. Evers directly. He requested that Evers' re-evaluate the Safer at Home order, and eliminate any orders that infringe upon constitutional rights.
Sheriff Schmidt wrote, "You are standing in the minority in your position to close down our state through the end of May. Even the neighboring states in which you relied on to make your decision are opening their economies well before the end of May."
Sheriff Schmidt is one of two sheriffs in the state to speak out against the extension of the order. Racine County Sheriff Christopher Schmaling suggested that his department will no longer enforce the order.
You can find the Sheriff's full column below.