Benton, LA – The Bossier Sheriff’s Office released a video message from Bossier Sheriff Julian Whittington late this afternoon. In the video, Sheriff Whittington discusses the Stay-at-Home order issued by Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards that went into effect on Monday March 23, 2020 at 5 p.m.
Video Highlights:
We know these are trying times for businesses and our residents, and we certainly encourage cooperation from our residents and businesses with regards to the governor’s Stay-at-Home order.
As law enforcement officers and part of our everyday patrol duties, our deputies will help educate our businesses about the order. That is our first line of action, and we are hopeful businesses will comply.
If a business further decides to violate the order, Louisiana Revised Statute 29:724 says that in the event of an emergency declared by the governor, that business can be fined not more than $500 or jailed for no more than six months.
We certainly do not anticipate having to arrest or issue a citation to a business, since we are encouraging all of our businesses and residents to comply with the Stay-at-Home order so that we can slow the spread of this virus.
We need everyone to cooperate.
For our residents who are out and about who might be concerned if they will be stopped by our deputies asking them what they are doing…the answer is NO…unless they are doing something that is illegal.
We want folks to be able to go the grocery store, pick up medications, go to doctor’s visits, get take-out at a restaurant, go care for a friend, ride a bike, or walk your pet.
We don’t want folks to stop living.
Our deputies are not going to stop people to check on where they are going. We just want you to be safe as we all fight the spread of this virus together.
We will get through this.
We will come out stronger.
With your help, God’s blessings, and a will of our people to bond together to fight this virus, we will overcome.
