No charges for Lansing barber who defied lockdown

Police warn Caskey’s Classic Barber Shop to stay closed

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SATURDAY, May 2 — Ingham County Prosecutor Carol Siemon won’t pursue charges against a Lansing barber who briefly gave haircuts Thursday.

“The decision was made to deny charges in this case,” Siemon explained to City Pulse today. “The evidence presented to our office showed that the shop owner had received a warning from police, and once warned he ceased any activities that may have been violation.”

Brian Caskey told a reporter Thursday that he was willing to risk a misdemeanor charge, civil fines and the loss of his business license by reopening Classic Barber Shop, 810 E. Michigan Ave. It was an act of civil disobedience amid a series of financial woes, he said.

But after multiple news outlets arrived later that day to document the rebellion, the Lansing Police Department swiftly closed the place down. Under Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s lockdown order, barbershops and other types of nonessential businesses must stay closed until May 15.

A willful violation of the order is a misdemeanor that could cause a business to lose its license.

Caskey said he only ended up giving a few free haircuts to a few clients and didn’t consider the shop open to the general public. Still, officers at the Lansing Police Department suspected it to be a violation of Whitmer’s orders and forwarded it on for prosecutorial review.

Siemon agreed; The reopening appeared to be a violation of Whitmer’s orders. But Caskey followed directions to close. No additional enforcement was necessary. No charges will be filed.

“That is consistent with our policy regarding the executive order and its enforcement. Primarily, it is to be used as a tool of education as well as enforcement, and we have stated that we will take court action for those who ignore or dismiss warnings,” Siemon said.

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