La Porte County Sheriff John T. Boyd appeared in a Facebook video post Saturday afternoon asking the public to be diligent in following Governor Eric Holcomb’s Executive Order to shelter-in-place.
He noted that deputies are not permitted to pull over a vehicle just to determine where an individual is going, but if a traffic stop is engaged and an investigation reveals that the driver is not traveling for an essential purpose as outlined in the Executive Order, the driver found in violation of the Executive Order and could be charged with a Class B Misdemeanor.
Boyd noted that essential travel purposes could be to care for a loved one, to and from work at an essential place of business, government work, human service operations, essential infrastructure, doctor’s appointment or other health-related issue, pharmacy, going to a grocery store, or getting carry-out food from a restaurant.
If there are questions, residents may call the Sheriff’s Department at 219-326-7700.
Sheriff Boyd asks everyone to remain at home to help stop the spread of COVID-19 and exercise social distancing at all times as “it could save lives”. The order is in effect until Monday, April 20 at 10:59 p.m. CT.
He expressed his gratitude for the health care workers, first responders and his staff for being on the front line of this pandemic.
