Brewster Police Dept. will educate on how to comply with 'Stay Home' order, no desire to make arrests for violations

BREWSTER - On March 23,  Governor Inslee gave a “stay home” order to all residents of Washington State, to combat the spread of COVID-19.  I want to inform the residents of Brewster how the Brewster Police department is implementing this order.  

The primary role of the Brewster Police Department is to help educate people about how to comply with the order to stay home.  The Brewster Police Department does not have any desire to make any arrests, or to take anybody to jail for any violations of the “stay home” order.  Officers are not going around different neighborhoods and areas checking to see if people are out when they shouldn’t be.  We understand some people need to carry out essential duties.  We just want people to listen to the order and stay home if they don’t need to be out.    

There have been many rumors, and posts on social media about “martial law”, “essential work ID”, and curfew.  Those are all false.  To get the latest most up to date information for our area, visit the Okanogan County Emergency Management website, or the Okanogan County Public Health Department.  There you will find accurate up to date information.  The Brewster Police Department made an emergency Facebook page as a way to help get information out to the public.  The information put out will come from Okanogan County Emergency Management, Okanogan County Public Health, The Okanogan County Sheriffs Office, The Mayor of Brewster, the City of Brewster, and the Brewster Police Department.   

COVID-19 is currently circulating in Okanogan County, but if we all follow the “stay home” order, and only leave your house when it is necessary, we can stop the transmission to others, our loved ones, and our vulnerable people.  

Due to COVID-19 there have been many changes at the National, State, County, and City levels.  With that, the Brewster Police Department remains fully staffed and responding to calls with some changes.  At times an Officer will handle the call over the phone, ask you to step outside to talk, or even to step back, and the front desk is closed to in person contact, all for social distancing.  Brewster Officers are equipped with and at times might wear PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) which can be mask, gloves, face shield, respirator, or even a TYVEK suit, all for personal protection.  If you do see an officer wearing that type of equipment it does not mean the officer or the person, they are contacting has COVID-19, it is just a precaution.  Rest assured The Brewster Police Department remains active, responding to calls and protecting the safety of the Citizens of Brewster.