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Omaha Smoking Snitches Urged To Call 911

October 23, 2006

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Police in Omaha are taking their new anti-smoking ordinance seriously. Very seriously.

In fact, both civilian and police officials urge the public to pick up the phone and call 911 when they see someone lighting up in a forbidden zone.

The Omaha City Council banned smoking in most public places earlier this month. The new law calls for fines of $100 for the first offense, with fines up to $500 for repeat offenders.

The new smoking ban is described as one of the toughest in the nation. It applies to bars that serve food, prompting a few bars to stop serving food in order to keep smokers as patrons.

So far, officials say Omaha's smokers appear to be observing the new law. There have been no reported arrests and what one police dispatcher calls an "insignificant" number of complaints.

Douglas County Emergency Services Director Mark Conrey, meanwhile, takes issue with city official's request that smoking snitches call 911 when they suspect someone is smoking illegally.

Conrey said that suggestion threatens to disrupt the county's 911 call system, which is supposed to be used for life-threatening emergencies.

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