Portland Police Will Support Local Business Requests on Mask Enforcement

The Portland Police Department experienced a relatively quiet day on Monday, regarding Governor Whitmer’s new Executive Order that requires Michiganders to wear face coverings in public indoor and crowded outdoor spaces. In fact, the first call about mask compliance did not come into the police department until 3:30 Monday afternoon. In that case a citizen was concerned about an employee in a business who was not wearing a mask. However, the employee was behind a plastic shield.

Portland Police Chief, Star Thomas, shared in a conversation with the Beacon Monday evening that in her experience, Portland citizens are basically responsible and respectful to each other. Then she emphasized that, “The Portland Police Department has no intention of searching for or seeking out citizens who are not being compliant with wearing a mask. We will however respond to businesses who call us and ask for our assistance, if a person in the place of business refuses to wear a mask and is being disruptive to the business.” Thomas is very sympathetic to businesses about the Governor’s new executive order that went into effect today, “There is a large burden on businesses to comply with the executive order. Businesses must refuse entry or service to those who do not wear a face covering, with limited exceptions”, she said.

“We will get through this Covid thing together”, Thomas reflected. Thomas, who has almost twenty years’ experience in law enforcement, would like to remind everyone that “being emotional and reactive is not going to help”. More information regarding the Governor’s Executive Order can be found at www.Michigan.gov/MaskUp.