April 17, 2006
Police Mistakenly Crack Down on Smoking
While the D.C. Council debated the smoking ban for restaurants and bars over the course of last year, civil libertarians intoned against using the power of the state against lifestyle choices, be they smoking, drinking or fatty foods. Last week some of their worst fears briefly came true.
On Friday the Examiner reported that the Metropolitan Police Department had to order its officers not to enforce the smoking ban -- which went into effect in the city's restaurants on April 3 -- in response to complaints that they were harassing restaurants that were not complying with the law. Some restaurant owners in Adams Morgan and Dupont Circle complained that officers began visiting their establishments to enforce the provisions of the law, going as far as to confiscate matchbooks and ashtrays, calling them “smoking paraphernalia.”
The order, issued last Monday, reminded police officers that the enforcement of the ban was to be left to the District Department of Health. Assistant Chief of Police Brian Jordan noted that the problem was limited to a few police officers, who were reminded of their responsibilities.
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I am really not clear on what is happening in this post?
Wow DCPD is really on the ball when it comes to handing out parking tickets in Chevy Chase and enforcing the smoking ban. It's a good thing they don't have to worry about shootings around U St or the fight where some guy got his head split open in Adams Morgan Friday night (any one know the details of that I heard it second hand from a friend) and that there is no crime in NE or SE, OH yeah and no one parks illegeally around Logan Circle so they don't need to worry about that. Good job DCPD!
since when does the city council come up with useless laws that are near imposible to enforce? dcpd has better things to do that enforcing the no smoke law.
let the restaurants and clubs choose what suits their businesses better.
While an MPD officer spends time gathering ashtrays, three people in NE and SE will be stabbed or beaten.
Hats off DC Council!
The point of this is that it's not up to the police to enforce this law at all. It's up to the Department of Health. The police were mistaken and are not supposed to do it again.
Jesus Christ. Will you all take it a little easier on the MPD? Yes, they could do a better job, but couldn't we all? Man, we're the ones posting on a blog mid-work day. And, may I add, I don't see you all lining up to join the squad. Man!
I HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY ABOUT THIS ISSUE ALSO! LISTEN TO ME!
I DON'T KNOW WHAT WE'RE YELLING ABOUT!!!!!!!!!
complaints that they were harassing restaurants that were not complying with the law
It's not harassment if you're breaking the law.
I'm with Paul G, because hey aren't you lazy bums just as pathetic, typing here while at work? At least we know it...
On Friday the Examiner reported...
How about a link?
Here's a link to the examiner article: http://www.examiner.com/Search-a77775~Police_ordered_not_to_enforce_smoking_ban.html
Clearly as long as there are murders occurring, enforcement of all other laws should be suspended. In fact, there should be only one law on the books at a time. As soon as murder is eliminated, we can start dealing with assault, and then continue on down the list. Until then, feel free to violate any laws as long as you're not murdering anyone.
Yes, thanks KC. I have no problem with police actually enforcing a recently-passed DC law. What, are we afraid they're going to start going around and "policing" the district for a change? (in Chief Wiggum's voice)
I hate cops. Here's a little logic for you:
Power corrupts.
Police have power.
Police are corrupt power-tripping assholes.
Flawless logic, Miguel. Thanks for clearing that up for everyone.
So, who are you going to call when you get mugged, or your home is broken into?
Laws and crimes are typically (ideally?) established in terms of the morality and harm of the behavior in question.
Unless you disagree that murder is more hammful and immoral than smoking (or other minor offenses such as parking violations, street vending permission, etc), it follows that police should arrange their priorities to deal with the most harmful and immoral crimes first and foremost. That's not to say they should neglect to police the minor crimes entirely...but it does make sense to pick your battles and spend your time and resources appropriately.
That said, I think the DC Police do a decent enough job given the stresses. But if police are in fact being corrupt with silly lower-harm issues like smoking, parking tickets or whatever...I think it's better to try to change the system by getting involved in the council or some other part of the political process than to just give hell to the people doing their jobs by enforcing shitty laws.
I live in the Logan/Shaw neighborhood. Last summer, the windows on my car were broken 4 times. I've seen people get mugged. I saw 2 people get bike jacked. I see guys pissing on the school and in the alley next to my house. There are prostitues around every corner. The liquor store gets robbed every week. There is at least one hit and run a week near my house. Hell, last summer I saw a guy in a mustang on O street drive down the road smashing every parked car in the right lane, then rear end a minivan and try to drive under it. Church goers double park when there are dozens of legal parking spaces a hundred yards away. I hate all of this, and when I see it, I want to know where the hell the police are. I've called 911 or 311 more times over the last 24 months than I ever have in my life. The fact of the matter is, in the 2 years I've been here, I've never seen a cop just hanging out. They are always on their way to a call, or at a call. Sure, they should have used better judgement when attempting to enforce a new law. I don't like defending cops because I'm an anti-establishemt idealist wanna-be hippie, but I really think these guys are trying.
A short retort to others who have posted:
Miguel, that kind of logic got people burned for being witches. Get a better argument, or at least a good book about logical falicies.
Paul G, unless anyone posting here is supposed to be saving someones life right now, it's probably o.k.
Outraged,
You need to move out of Logan/Shaw dude.
Outraged,
You need to move out of Logan/Shaw dude.
Outraged,
You need to move out of Logan/Shaw dude.
Clearly, the City Council is not doing its job. They need to start passing more laws so that we can FINALLY be safe from the big bad rabbit. Please, call Jim Graham right now and tell him you want the council to drop everything and pass the Little Bunny Foofoo Act of 2006. Won't someone please think of the children?
Clearly DC is in need of more, better trained and better paid cops. How DC Government spends its money and allocates its resources is clearly at the core of this problem.