Obeying Gov. Tony Evers' safer-at-home order could help protect you from contracting the coronavirus. It could also protect your pocketbook, as violating the order could result in a fine, at least in Wauwatosa.

In a special virtual meeting Tuesday night, the Wauwatosa Common Council unanimously approved adopting two state statutes giving the Wauwatosa Police Department greater leeway to enforce Evers' order.

Violating the order could result in a $500 fine, if police deem you have "willfully" violated or obstructed the order, which will be in effect until April 24.

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“The city is anticipating that while people are generally broadly cooperative at this point, that is likely to change,” said Hanna Kolberg, Wauwatosa’s assistant city attorney, during the special meeting.

If there are difficulties with enforcement, regarding people not complying with the order in the next month, the approval of the state statutes gives the police department a method for which they can enforce it, Kolberg said.

“It was just an opportunity to make sure that on a local level we were consistent with what’s happening on a state level,” Kolberg said.

Passing this at the local level means the city can handle the issues locally, Kolberg explained.

"It allows for these matters to be handled in municipal court, on a local level as opposed to being taken down to Milwaukee County Circuit Court for a violation," she said.

Curt Witynski, the deputy executive director of the League of Wisconsin Municipalities, said he isn't aware of any other municipalities taking this approach yet.

"I think the ordinance is logical and makes sense," Witynski said in an email.

Evers' statewide order directs people to stay at home, except in limited circumstances, such as going to grocery stores, doctors offices and pharmacies. People may also go outside to exercise or walk their dogs.

When people leave their homes, the order says they must stay at least 6 feet away from others, except for family members they live with or members of their households.

Other area police departments are also educating the public on how they will enforce the order, including the Milwaukee Police Department, and law enforcement in Lake Country.

What this means

Kolberg said enforcement of the statutes will be very “situationally dependent.”

“There’s going to be a period here in the very beginning where law enforcement is going to clearly educate and warn the public and businesses to be in compliance with the governor's orders,” Wauwatosa Police Lt. Luke Vetter said during the meeting.

The department uploaded a YouTube video that explained what it's doing differently since the order went into effect.

“We will not be conducting random traffic stops to check for compliance. Nor will we be stopping people who are out for a walk or a bike ride, just to check that their trip is essential,” Sgt. Katie Gierach said. “However, if we do observe conduct that we believe is in violation of the order, we will take action, which may include verbal warnings, citations or even arrests.”

Capt. Brian Zalewski said the main goal of the department now will be to continue to educate the public about compliance.

“This is new to everyone, and there is certainly confusion and misunderstanding by the public about what constitutes a health violation and what does not,” Zalewski said in an email.

However, Zalewski said the department will take action if it needs to.

“If we need to enforce the orders, we certainly will, and we will utilize the new ordinances to do so," he said.

There has been several occurrences in the past week of large groups of people gathering in public parks in Wauwatosa. However, since the order went into effect, Wawuatosa has closed playgrounds at city parks.

Additionally, Hart Park Stadium and the Wauwatosa Skate Park are closed.

"If police get called to those locations for reports of people in those closed areas, we would respond and ask those individuals to be on their way," Gierach said.

The department is also taking other precautions to keep the public safe.

Although the patrol division is still fully staffed, no visitors are being allowed in the police department building. Citation payments are being accepted only by mail or online. Civilian fingerprinting services have also been suspended.

Evan Casey can be reached at 414-403-4391 or evan.casey@jrn.com. Follow him on Twitter @ecaseymedia.