Law enforcement to stop booking some people into Whatcom jail due to coronavirus
Whatcom County law enforcement agencies stopped booking people into the Whatcom County Jail for certain crimes on Thursday, March 19, due to the coronavirus outbreak, according to procedures outlined in a Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office memo.
The memo, obtained by The Bellingham Herald from a law enforcement official, states that people arrested will be booked and released for everything except certain offenses that represent a serious threat to public safety. Those crimes include domestic violence, violations of a no-contact order, felony DUI, sex offenses, burglary and other violent crimes. Those booked for misdemeanor DUI will be held until sober.
The memo suggests officers arrest, book and release people when they can, giving them notice of when to appear in court. For felony offenses it suggests officers take a report and forward it to the prosecuting attorney’s office, unless there’s a threat to public safety. People will not be booked for Department of Corrections violations, the memo states.
Those who are booked on charges that pose a threat to public safety will be held until they see a judge, according to the memo.
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