OGDEN, Utah – Ogden Police Department’s Chief shares his response to Governor Cox’s emergency declaration in a video statement, Friday.
Ahead of potential protests, Governor Spencer Cox has placed Utah under a state of emergency until next week. While people have a right to free speech, officials will not tolerate violence.
Ogden Police Chief Eric Young shares his thoughts on the new orders placed by Utah’s new Governor.
“Governor Cox has issued a state of emergency that begins January 15 and runs through January 21, due to the threats and the violent protests in connection to the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden, ” says Young. ” The Ogden Police Department has a strong capacity in our area tactical analysis center (ATAC) to monitor and quickly identify threats to Ogden City citizens and its infrastructure.”
“This executive order is kinda preempting what could possibly be civil unrest,” shares Utah Highway Patrol Lt. Nick Street. “The authority given to the [Utah] Highway Patrol and the Department of Public Safety in being able to make certain calls when it comes to closures…”
Street says this declaration allows officials to do what’s necessary to keep law and order.
According to Ogden Police Chief Eric Young, ATAC also partners with both state and federal agencies to ensure that the team has the latest and most relevant intelligence information.
“The ATAC has not identified any threats, concerns, or risks in Ogden City or surrounding communities. Although no specific risks have been identified, Ogden City and the Ogden City Police Department is planning and staffing for all risks that may emerge,” he continues. “The Ogden Police Department works in conjunction with all our law enforcement partners in Weber County to ensure that our citizens are safe, and public and private property are protected.”
The Ogden Police Department then emphasizes their respect and protection of the constitutional rights of citizens to peacefully assemble and protest.
“However, we will immediately enforce all applicable Utah State Laws, Ogden City ordinances, anytime protest activities become violent, threatening, or causes damages to public or private property,” the chief informs.
President-elect Joe Biden is anticipated to be inaugurated on Wednesday, January 20. Opening remarks will begin around 11:30 a.m., and Biden will be sworn in around 12 p.m., as mandated by the 20th amendment to the Constitution, which states, “the terms of the President and Vice President shall end at noon on the 20th day of January.”