Article by Megan Fox in "PJMedia":
Maine's Franklin County Sheriff
Scott Nichols has a strong message for the Governor of Maine, Janet
Mills, who issued "stay-at-home" orders with threats of police
punishment if not followed. Sheriff Nichols issued a statement on the
Franklin County Facebook page saying in no uncertain terms he will not
follow the unconstitutional order.
"We
will not be setting up a Police State. PERIOD," he wrote. "The
Sheriff’s Office will not purposefully go out and stop vehicles because
they are on the road or stop and ask why people are out and about. To do
so puts our officers at risk. This is not Nazi Germany or Soviet Russia
where you are asked for your papers!"
The
sheriff's announcement comes as a welcome sign to Americans who have
been arrested for inane things like praying outside, surfing, or trying
to drive to work. Someone has to stand up to the unconstitutional
directives that are being handed down daily by government officials and
it will fall on the sheriffs to uphold what they know to be their legal
and lawful duties, none of which involve trampling the rights of
citizens.
"Please
use common sense during this executive order. We are more interested in
the safety and well-being of the public as well as our officers at this
time. With that being said, we are sworn to uphold the Constitution and
laws of the State - for any unlawful act/situation, arrestees will be
taken into custody and transported for fingerprinting and bail."
Nichols
made it clear that he only intends to arrest for matters of
law-breaking, and nothing else. Executive orders aren't laws. He
finished his announcement with words of encouragement for his
constituents: "Most of you are doing a fantastic job – we appreciate
that! Please look out for one another, especially the elderly and
shut-ins. Please be a good neighbor/citizen always showing compassion.
Please be kind especially on social media, negativity online only adds
to the stress people are currently experiencing."
Nichols signed this brave decree with his name and followed it with "Of the People, For the People."
We will not be setting up a Police State. PERIOD.
The Sheriff’s Office will not purposefully go out and stop vehicles because they are on the road or stop and ask why people are out and about. To do so puts our officers at risk. This is not Nazi Germany or Soviet Russia where you are asked for your papers!
What we will take action on, if needed – are those rare situations
where there are a lot of people overtly hanging out in public –
obviously in defiance of the Governor’s order. Even in that case – we
will first educate and try to disperse the group. We will avoid arrests
unless absolutely necessary.
Please use common sense during this executive order. We are more interested in the safety and well-being of the public as well as our officers at this time. With that being said, we are sworn to uphold the Constitution and laws of the State - for any unlawful act/situation, arrestees will be taken into custody and transported for fingerprinting and bail.
The best way to approach the coming days is to treat everyone as though they have the virus. Follow strict CDC guidelines and recommendations, use masks if needed, wash your hands frequently, disinfect, wear gloves and use common sense in all situations. The longer we do NOT follow these guidelines, the longer we wait in isolation.
Most of you are doing a fantastic job – we appreciate that! Please look out for one another, especially the elderly and shut ins. Please be a good neighbor/citizen always showing compassion. Please be kind especially on social media, negativity online only adds to the stress people are currently experiencing.
Thank you for your great attitudes and your continued support of the Sheriff’s Office. Remember this is temporary, if you have any questions please contact us at the Sheriff’s Office 207-778-2680.
Please use common sense during this executive order. We are more interested in the safety and well-being of the public as well as our officers at this time. With that being said, we are sworn to uphold the Constitution and laws of the State - for any unlawful act/situation, arrestees will be taken into custody and transported for fingerprinting and bail.
The best way to approach the coming days is to treat everyone as though they have the virus. Follow strict CDC guidelines and recommendations, use masks if needed, wash your hands frequently, disinfect, wear gloves and use common sense in all situations. The longer we do NOT follow these guidelines, the longer we wait in isolation.
Most of you are doing a fantastic job – we appreciate that! Please look out for one another, especially the elderly and shut ins. Please be a good neighbor/citizen always showing compassion. Please be kind especially on social media, negativity online only adds to the stress people are currently experiencing.
Thank you for your great attitudes and your continued support of the Sheriff’s Office. Remember this is temporary, if you have any questions please contact us at the Sheriff’s Office 207-778-2680.
Sheriff Scott Nichols
“Of the People, For the People”
“Of the People, For the People”