Press Release

WARSAW — City and county police officers will not respond to calls regarding people failing to wear a mask.

According to a press release issued by the Warsaw Police Department and Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office, any call or complaint received regarding businesses not requiring customers to wear a mask should be directed to the state or county health department.

Since this is a non-criminal offense, do not call central dispatch as no law enforcement agency within Kosciusko County will respond solely to a call for people failing or refusing to wear a mask. However, officers will respond to any disturbances that develop.

The announcement comes after Gov. Eric Holcomb announced a statewide mask mandate that takes effect Monday.

Police are asking everyone to be respectful to others in public regarding their decision to wear or not to wear a mask. Any business may refuse service to any person who refuses to wear a mask. Refusal to leave the business when asked may result in criminal trespass with legal consequences.

The mandate applies to everyone age 8 and older in indoor public spaces, commercial entities while using transportation services and outdoor public spaces where social distancing is not possible. Exceptions are while eating or drinking, while participating in strenuous physical activity, or any medical condition preventing a person from wearing a mask.