beshear and enforcement

Day mask rule is in full effect...but a lot of people are still wondering who's enforcing it.

Several law enforcement agencies are saying they won't respond to complaints that people aren't wearing masks...but they aren't completely off the hook.

Abc 36's monica harkins reports from the capitol...where governor beshear says he's hopeful people don't need to be forced into wearing a mask anyway.

### "monica: during monday afternoon's coronavirus briefing governor beshear said he feels like kentuckians are doing a pretty good job following the new mask rule."

"beshear: people are very willing to do this and support it but they wanted to see c1 3 everyone else do it."

For those who aren't.... several law enforcement agencies posted on social media...explaining they can't directly enforce the rule.

...sheriff's offices and police departments "can only enforce laws that have been created by legislative action and voted into law.

The current executive orders do not fall under that category."

But they will enforce a different law....for example if a business refuses to serve someone because they aren't wearing a mask and that person won't leave.

"beshear: law enforcement would come in and directly act in those instances under trespass laws.

I think that's pretty powerful.

Health departments, the labor cabinet and the department of alcoholic beverage consumption have direct ability to enforce mask wearing and possibly even issues fines.

"beshear: no shoes, no shirt, no mask, no service.

It creates a clear, bright line that each of our businesses needs to be following," i drove around lexington to see for myself what businesses are doing...some like walmart have an employee watching at the front for masks...to make sure the rule is followed.

But then there's a places home depot on richmond road...where i saw a sign ....saying "wear a mask"...but no one near the entrance checking.

Home depot's corporate says "we have not required stores to police local mandates, because it can be dangerous to put our associates in that position."

"beshear: all these things are temporary.

We're just getting through a dangerous time and once this thing is gone all those emergency powers go away.

I can't wait until i don't have to issue these types of orders.

I can't wait."

Monica harkins, abc 36 news ### weather animation forcht bank sky