SHAWANO, WI – Shawano County Sheriff Adam Bieber says a letter that he wrote to Governor Tony Evers was written in hopes of protecting businesses in the county and constitutional rights, not to make light of Coronavirus concerns.
In the letter, Bieber asked Governor Evers to consider making some modifications to the Safer at Home order and extension.
“There is growing anger and frustration from business owners who are just trying to make a living.”
He told TCHDailyNews that the first issue is not having equal opportunities for all businesses.
“When you can allow big box stores to be open and fast food restaurants to be open, but you can’ t allow the little guy to operate and stay open while doing if safely, nobody sees sense in that.
He says the essential business versus non-essential businesses is also a concern.
“I think people are frustrated that they get put in two groups, essential workers and non-esssential workers, but whether you are essential or not, you still have bills like everyone else.”
His letter to the Governor also expresses concerns that he has of State Government overreach. This virus may never be wiped out but we know we can take preventative measures to protect ourselves, he said in the letter. Government leaders should not treat people as subjects but as Citizens and allow people to make decisions based on the information provided to them.
Bieber told TCHDailyNews that the best approach would be to let the county health departments and law enforcement have more control over the restrictions, instead of linking all of Wisconsin in one big group.
“The order does not make a lot of sense to a lot of people. I think Governor Evers should adjust his order to allow some other businesses to open under new guidelines,” he said. “People see the inconsistency,” said Bieber. “They say, well golf courses can open, why can’t other businesses?”
Sheriff Bieber says that does not mean that we can just automatically jump back to the way we were living.
“We should be social distancing, washing our hands and wearing masks when we can, and we know that businesses can put in precautions that keep employees and customers safe. There are still people that are fearful and they should be, because this can be a very deadly virus for some people, but for a majority of people it is not.”
The other issue that Sheriff Bieber addressed in his letter to Governor Evers was how an order like this is starting to have an effect on people’s constitutional rights, with one big example coming to mind.
“The biggest one being the religious restrictions in the order, that the order can restrict religious gatherings to under 10 people. I am not a constitutional expert or a lawyer, but I do know how to read, and reading the Governor’s order and our Bill of Rights, there is some conflict, especially around religion.”
He says according to the gathering rules, as law enforcement, they should be encouraging people to avoid gatherings of multiple people, but says there is a lot of sticky red tape with that. He says one example that comes to mind is when four kids are walking down the sidewalk together and someone calls in a violation of social distancing.
“People are just calling in on each other and assuming that people are violating the order.”
He says more often than not, there is not a violation occurring, and people don’t always know the whole story. In some cases, they are brother and sisters or in the same family, and in that case, they are allowed to be walking together, but law enforcement would have to investigate that and according to Bieber, that could be dangerous for officer safety and for constitutional rights.
“Now you are stopping these people, detaining them and requiring them to give their names, and I see a lot of constitutional issues here. I want to make sure that we are not violating people’s rights, especially when it comes to the phone calls to our department.”
Bieber has received mixed reactions since making his letter public on social media. Some are praising his efforts to support businesses and the constitution, while some are saying that his ideas would lead to more danger, sickness and ultimately, death. Bieber says in no way is he saying that people should take COVID-19 lightly, in fact he says he started calling for people to protect themselves and take precautions before it even became a large pandemic.
“I started promoting wearing a mask before it was cool.”
He says his letter is also not a direct attack on Governor Evers.
“I think Governor Evers has a hard decision to make and respect the fact that it is a tough decision, but the information and facts about the virus have changed now.”
Bieber has said multiple times that when he took his oath, he swore to protect the constitution and the people of Shawano County. He says he wants the Governor to consider a middle ground where businesses are not being forced to close their doors, in some cases for good, and people can use the information and knowledge that they have to protect themselves and their families without a laundry list of restrictions.
SHERIFF ADAM BIEBER COMMENTS TO TCHDAILYNEWS ABOUT THE LETTER HE WROTE TO GOV. EVERS AND WHY HE WROTE IT.
Read the Letter Here
Re: Emergency Order, Safer at Home Orders and Essential Business Declaration
Dear Governor Evers,
Understanding the seriousness of the current health crisis, our Office, and the people of Shawano County have taken measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Following the recommendations of the CDC and the Health Department along with proper hygiene practices and social distancing we have “flattened the curve” here in Wisconsin and specifically in Shawano County. Hospitalizations for COVID-19 in Wisconsin are decreasing and those who are testing positive are recovering. This virus may never be wiped out but we know we can take preventative measures to protect ourselves.
Wisconsin state law has provided you (Governor) the authority to design and enforce measures to protect the public during a health crisis. I have taken an Oath to uphold our State and National Constitution. State law should never encroach the Constitutional rights of the American People which protect against Government overreach. I will not enforce rules or laws that infringe on the Constitutional rights of our Citizens.
As Covid-19 has caused serious health problems in certain areas of our Country and across the globe. The same can be said for rules imposed by Government bodies that place a heavy burden upon our citizens financially. These burdens often come with negative health issues as well. I urge you to allow local officials the ability to partner with small businesses or “non-essential” workers to get them back to work. Non-essential business owners that have been shut down can develop plans with local health officials that ensure the safety of their employees and customers. This would allow them the ability to at least open and continue their work. I am confident in our community to resume life responsibly, taking precautions based on scientific evidence and facts.
I believe that personal responsibility supersedes government intervention. Government leaders should not treat people as subjects but as Citizens and allow people to make decisions based on the information provided to them. I would urge you to modify your order and allow businesses and people to go about their business, encouraging them to take precautions for their own well-being but not threatening them with fines or imprisonment. May God guide you as you make these important decisions, and may God protect you and the people of Wisconsin.
Sincerely,
Adam C. Bieber
Sheriff
Shawano County Sheriff’s Office
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