OPD: Call 9-1-1 if smokers break
new law
Omaha's new smoking ban does not go into effect until Monday, but
some are already questioning a police directive that could strain
city resources.
Jobber's Canyon, a restaurant and
brewery in the Old Market, is just one of the thousands of city
businesses where people will not be allowed to smoke as of Monday.
But police say if you see someone
smoking there, or anywhere else where it's not allowed, you should
call 9-1-1. To some Omaha residents, that just doesn't add up.
"I think it will be a strain
on the system," Jobber's Canyon's Ryan Bertucci says.
Bertucci is also frustrated that
the ban gives five-year exemptions to stand-alone bars, bars with
KENO and Horseman's Park. But he says, as far as enforcement is
concerned, most businesses will handle it in house.
"There's part of customer
service--we need to work with our clients and appreciate the fact
that we're abiding by the laws and we need to enforce them,"
he said.
But what happens if a customer
does call 9-1-1?
The smoking violation would come
in as a "Priority 3" call, which is low on the emergency
chain. That means police officers will respond when they have
time, possibly taking an hour or more. Similar calls include
accidents where no one is injured.
Mark Welsch of GASP of Nebraska
says, "A few weeks from now, this is going to be old
news."
Welsch has been spearheading a
smoking ban for years. Even though he agrees with OPD's directive
to call 9-1-1, he says he does not expect many people to follow
it.
"The vast majority of this
will be handled by the business owner," Welsch said.
"Ask them to put out the cigarette, and if they refuse,
they'll ask them to leave."
Under the new law, businesses that
violate the smoking ban get a warning the first time. For more
information about the law, including a complete list of businesses
where smoking is still allowed, click here.
http://www.omahasmokefreelaw.com/
