By Press Times Staff

BROWN COUNTY – The villages of Howard and Suamico announced they have enacted a curfew in effect throughout their municipalities from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m., beginning June 5 and ending June 8, unless extended.

The announcement is in response to rioting occurring last weekend in the Green Bay area unrelated to peaceful protests taking place following the recent death of George Floyd in Minneapolis after being apprehended by police.

Howard’s emergency declaration states the curfew is “necessary and expedient for the health, safety, welfare, and good order in the greater Green Bay area and the Village of Howard that a curfew be imposed limiting pedestrian and vehicular travel in order to stop the looting of property damage to private and public property in the Village of Howard.”

“Police action will be directed toward people who are gathering as a mass and/or are engaged in illegal conduct. Police will not cite/arrest residents who are engaged in lawful activity,” the declaration states. “Businesses may be open during the curfew.”

According to the declaration, no one is allowed to “obstruct, hinder, or delay any member of the Village of Howard in the enforcement of any order, rule, regulations, or plan issued or violate any order, rule, regulation, or plan issued pursuant to the authority of this proclamation, which may be punishable by a forfeiture pursuant to Wisconsin Statute section 323.28.”

The emergency proclamation is subject to ratification, alteration, modification or repeal by the Howard village board, which has its next meeting scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Monday, June 8.

Suamico Village Administrator Alex Kaker said the curfew is “a proactive measure on our part to protect the residents and businesses of Suamico.”

“We understand that there are violent groups looking to take advantage of the peaceful protests and are looking for communities without curfews to target,” Kaker said.

The villages of Howard and Suamico join the City of Green Bay and villages of Ashwaubenon and Allouez in putting a curfew in place for the weekend.