Police Focusing On DUI, Not Masking

Morgan County Police will not strictly enforce masking laws this Labor Day Weekend.

The police will keep their focus on making sure people don't get behind the wheel after drinking.

Doctors and health experts across north alabama spent the past week pleading with people to be extra careful due to coronavirus this holiday weekend.

We asked the morgan county sheriff's office if it was going to enforce mandatory masking guidelines.

Deputies said "no."

Waay 31's grace campbell shows us what they plan on doing instead.

A morgan county sheriffs office spokesperson told me their main focus isn't enforcing people to wear a mask .

It's making sure people don't get behind the wheel after drinking.

Pkg: mike swafford, morgan co pio: "we're not out looking for people that violate, you know, the mask orders.

We have too much other things going on."

"this is kind of the last kind of celebration weekend for the summer and we know people want to have fun, but we're out there to make sure those that overdo it, don't cause more problems."

That last hurrah is why so many doctors are concerned people won't remain socially distanced or keep their mask on.

Linda schank is confident if people don't follow the rules, deputies will.

Linda schank: "there is a law there, and i think they'll enforce it."

But, mike swafford with the morgan county sheriff's office told me that's not the plan.

He said since mandatory masking went into effect in july, no deputy's written a single citation or made an arrest because of it.

Swafford says it's because they chose to educate people on the state's safety guidelines.

"we feel the things that we've been doing, the message we continue to preach is working.

So, as we go into this weekend, to avoid that spike, just continue to do what we're doing."

But swafford says they don't want there to be a spike in cases after the holiday weekend and will look into situations if people call about large crowds.

Linda schank: "i think our police officers would do the job instead of stay back."

In decatur, grace campbell waay 31 news.