Branch County has had few complaints about businesses reopening. | stock photo
Branch County has had few complaints about businesses reopening. | stock photo
Branch County Prosecutor Val White has only received two formal complaints about businesses violating the governor's "Stay Home, Stay Safe" order, initially issued on March 17, according to The Daily Reporter.
After reviewing the complaint from Michigan State Police, White has said she will not file misdemeanor charges against Capri Drive-In, a movie theater. The complaint filed against Adventure Zone, a family-friendly amusement park, is under review.
Although dozens of 911 calls regarding violations of the stay-at-home order have been logged, there have not been any police-issued tickets or citations brought to Branch County District Court.
Two criminal defendants who were in the county against the governor's order did have charges added against them. White said they were in committing other crimes in Branch County. Felony complaints had misdemeanor charges added to them in the first few weeks of the stay-at-home order.
Capri Drive-In opened on May 15; Branch County 911 and Michigan State Police received a handful of complaints. The theater has operated on weekends since then.
White said the executive order regarding theaters differed from how the Capri Drive-In is operated.
“I just made the decision that sitting next to each other in a regular movie theater was different," White said to The Daily Reporter. "I would choose not to prosecute. I don’t know whether the attorney general’s office would come down to prosecute.”
To maintain social distance, the drive-in theater required cars to park with space between them. The theater only allows 50% of its 700-car capacity. Restroom use was limited, and concession stands were not open. However, the theater was cautioned against reopening in a letter from Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency.
The Adventure Zone complaint has not yet been ruled on. The entertainment park contains two 18-hole mini golf courses, a go-cart track, two paintball fields, indoor laser tag, a paintball shooting gallery, arcade and pavilion. A decision will be made once White has the opportunity to review all of the information.
Alerts Sign-up