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Official: National Guard and law enforcement are staffing checkpoints; crossings could lead to arrest
Summary
Spokane County official said National Guard personnel are supporting checkpoints and warned that crossing or interfering with law enforcement could result in arrest; the official urged respect for guardspeople and volunteers staffing the response.
Spokane County's agency official said staffing at checkpoints has been bolstered by the National Guard but is under strain as the affected footprint grows.
"Thank goodness that we had access to our national guard... Every day, our request for the number of guardsmen and women that we're asking for is going up," the official said, adding that some guardspeople have also lost homes yet are serving the community. The official urged people to "please be compliant with them" and to treat them with respect.
When asked whether someone crossing a checkpoint could be arrested, the official said, "Yes. I mean, you could be arrested for instructing a law enforcement officer, because it is a lawful order for us to keep people out." The official said authorities would prefer to avoid arrests but that charges may be brought in some situations.
Officials asked residents to report suspicious activity and to avoid confrontations at checkpoints to allow responders to focus on operations.
