MILWAUKEE — Milwaukee police can now issue citations with fines up to $500 to people who don't comply with Gov. Tony Evers' "Safer at Home" order.
The Milwaukee Common Council unanimously approved an ordinance Tuesday "relating to enforcement of communicable disease orders." It authorizes the commissioner of health and police officers to issue orders and citations to anyone who willfully violates or obstructs the execution of an order issued under state statute.
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Statute 252 says the department "may close schools and forbid public gatherings in schools, churches, and other places to control outbreaks and epidemics." It also says the department can authorize and implement "all emergency measures necessary" to control communicable diseases.
Milwaukee Police Chief Alfonso Morales says there have been 107 arrests related to Statute 252.
"There are times that we have to enforce it, and we are enforcing those that are committing crimes or being involved in crime to put themselves in position to be a part of a criminal act," said Chief Morales in a Milwaukee County briefing Tuesday afternoon. "We try to educate, but when push comes to shove, we have to do our job. [If] things get out of control. We have to do our job and do the enforcement piece."