Indiana County Sheriff Bob Fyock has said that he will not enforce any of Governor Tom Wolf’s recent orders meant to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
Governor Wolf announced on Thursday that restaurants would be limited to take-out or delivery only; retail businesses could only operate less than 50 percent capacity; indoor gatherings of 10 or more and outdoor gatherings of 50 or more are prohibited; and gyms, school sports and entertainment venues are shut down completely until at least January 4th. At the time, Governor Wolf said that the goals were to stop Covid-19’s spread, keep hospitals and health care workers from being overwhelmed, and help Pennsylvanians get through the holiday season as safe as they can.
Fyock said that he wouldn’t enforce the Governor’s mandates because it is a state mandate, not a local one.
Fyock did encourage people to continue to wear masks and practice physical distancing to continue to prevent Covid-19’s spread.
Pennsylvania law states that sheriffs cannot investigate reports of crimes they do not encounter or witness, but instead must call municipal or state police to investigate. Sheriffs can make arrests regarding certain illegal activity they come across in “open view”.
