In response to concerns relating to COVID-19, Fillmore County Sheriff John DeGeorge has instituted a few operational changes to minimize risk to the public and staff.
According to DeGeorge, “When someone calls 911 or our non-emergency line for help, dispatch will likely ask a few questions to determine if the call may involve someone who is at risk for having COVID-19.
Some non-emergency calls may be handled over the phone by a deputy when possible. When a deputy does respond to a call, they will likely ask the people involved to step outside to talk to them.
If a deputy does respond to a call involving someone suspected to have COVID-19, they will likely be wearing protective gear. This may be a mask, face shield, and protective suit. As of now deputies will not be patrolling with masks or protective gear.
On traffic stops, a deputy may write down occupant’s driver’s license and insurance information rather than handing cards back and forth.
The jail will not be doing any public fingerprinting until further notice.
All contact visits with inmates in the jail have been suspended. The inmate STS work crew will not be going out of the building.
The vast majority of our staff is considered essential employees. This means that deputies, dispatchers and jailers will be coming to work every day, no matter how this situation progresses. We will take precautions as necessary, and will continually evaluate our procedures, as things are changing daily.
And as simple as it seems, we are very conscious of hygiene, washing our hands, and social distancing. Any meeting that is scheduled takes place in a bigger room than normal so everyone can spread out.
We will continue to pay attention to the CDC recommendations and will operate in a way that follows those recommendations, and still provides proper service to the public.”
Leave a Reply