MARQUETTE — With Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s “Stay Home, Stay Safe” Executive Order becoming effective Tuesday, many people have had questions about how it will be enforced on a local level and Marquette County Sheriff Greg Zyburt is emphasizing the sheriff’s office will be enforcing the governor’s orders locally.

“We’re not going to be stopping people that we see driving around. But if you’re blatantly breaking the law, if you’re a business that is open that shouldn’t be open, if you’re having groups of more than 10 people and you’re out publicly doing this, we’re going to come in, we’re going to talk to you, break it up. And then if it continues, then we would be forced to charge,” Zyburt said.

The order directs “Michigan businesses and operations to temporarily suspend in-person operations that are not necessary to sustain or protect life” and “directs Michiganders to stay in their homes unless they’re a part of that critical infrastructure workforce, engaged in an outdoor activity, or performing tasks necessary to the health and safety of themselves or their family, like going to the hospital or grocery store,” a press release from the governor’s office states.

According to a document provided by the sheriff’s office, those who “willfully disobey or interfere with the implementation of a rule, order or directive issued by the governor upon the declaration of a state of disaster or a state of emergency” could be charged with a 90-day misdemeanor and/or a $500 fine.

The sheriff’s office was looking into one Marquette business on Thursday that was possibly disobeying the orders. Zyburt does believe one arrest has been made in response to the orders, but the individual was arrested on multiple other charges as well, he said.

The office has also been experiencing a slight increase in calls from citizens concerned with others disobeying the “Stay Home, Stay Safe” order.

“I think that people need to be patient, get outside, there’s no problem doing physical activity, walking the bike paths, riding a bike,” Zyburt said. “That’s a good way to get rid of some of the steam of just staying indoors, but be mindful to take those precautions of social distancing and a mask if necessary.”

In light of COVID-19, the Marquette County Sheriff’s Office has closed its lobby to the public until April 13. A clerk is available for essential services from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, but individuals must call ahead at 906-225-8435.

≤ Call 911 for emergencies

≤ Inmate visitation is available by visiting www.videovisitanywhere.com

≤ Inmate bond and commissary deposits can be made by visiting jailatm.com

≤ Jail Housing payments can be made by mail or calling 906-225-8477

≤ Civil process payments and requests for papers to be served should be mailed. Questions can be directed to 906-225-8463

≤ FOIA requests can be made by visiting co.marquette,mi.us

≤ Sex offenders should call the sheriff’s office to make arrangements with staff for verification. Failure to do so will result in non-compliance

≤ Completed RI-060 forms and completed Permit to Purchase forms should be mailed to 236 W. Baraga Avenue

≤ If you need a permit to purchase a firearm immediately, call the sheriff’s office to make arrangements with staff

Trinity Carey can be reached at tcarey@miningjournal.net