BELLINGHAM, Wash. — The Whatcom County Sheriff has responded to Governor Jay Inslee’s stay-home order.
In a post on his personal Facebook page, Sheriff Bill Elfo urged residents to continue exercising caution to fight the COVID-19 pandemic and he did not say that he would refuse to enforce the governor’s order.
He says sheriffs do not have the authority to declare any laws unconstitutional and that authority is reserved to the courts.
While deputies are prepared to resort to enforcement action if someone refuses to desist in continuing with behaviors that place others at risk, Elfo says there has not been a single instance where it has been needed.
