I recently observed (and later heard) a tale that just to good to not pass along. I now know how many police officers it takes to rouse three(3) alleged smokers out of a bar. That number is five (yelp 5). Last week 5 officers entered an establishment here in Victoria, they were there checking for smokers. So I guess that makes them the Cigarette Police. 3 people sitting at the bar were accused of smoking. Though no one was actually caught with a smoke. But there was some evidence of smoking (the smell I guess). These 3 people were taken outside and questioned about who was smoking in the bar. They all 3 claimed ignorance and were later released to return to the bar. Now I do know 2 of the people involved. One was a British man, one a Scottish fellow and a Hispanic guy that I didn’t know. I spoke with the Brit afterward and he said he was scared to death, He and the Scot are guest workers here in the States and were afraid of losing their jobs for being in trouble with the Police. When I tried to explain to him that it was just a local ordnance that he had broken. One that he could have been issued a ticket for, He replied that No ,the police had told him that if they every caught him, they would make sure that he was put in jail.(wonder if Steve Tyler will take the case). But to make it short we now have two very scared foreniers on our hands who think we live in a police state.
Now I know that the smoking ban is an ordnance passed by the city and includes all those low bad places called bars. And I realize there must be someone to enforce the Ban. But I think I kind of object to the heavy handed tactics used in this case. Five officers to enforce one little smoking ban, Threaten people with Jail time. Removing people from a business just because they smelled smoke. OH by the way the Scot does not even smoke. And how much did it cost for these 5 officers to enforce that rule, were they on overtime?
Now I am a retired police officer and I know I have been assigned duties before that I did not like nor agree with. But I know you must do what you are told, there is no room for questioning the boss. And I suspect that was the case here. The officers were ordered to enforce the ban on that night and like it or not they did their duty. Be cause I cannot believe 5 officers just took it upon their selves to hassle people. I am sure that probably didn’t like it themselves. But who gave the order, was there a complaint? I am sure we’ll never know but I still think it could have been done in a more cost effective way . Maybe one officer? Or how about a smoking enforcement guy (kinda of like a dogcatcher) who would cost less and not threaten people with jail. (Hey I need a job, any openings) . Or maybe theses folks are real criminals and need to be behind bars so that our fair city is safe from, from, from what I am not sure. Oh I know so that little Johnny and Suzy are safe from smokers. (of course I wonder what Johnny and Suzy are doing in a bar that late anyhow)
Anyhow just to let the People of Victoria know that the Cigarette Police are on the job. And really I am not down on cops at all. I think the world and all of them and try to buy every one I see a cup of coffee, Cause I know how hard the job can be at times. So guys hang in there. It was the city that made you cigarette cops and I am sure you really would make better use of your time.
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As a Lung Cancer survivor (so far), I see people smoking and just shake my head. I cannot stand even the smell of some one who has been smoking, much less smelling the smoke. It's disgusting. I am glad they have banned it in so many places. I didn't like people whining about it when I smoked, but the shoe is on the other foot now. Now go light-up. Then lighten up.
March 28, 2008 at 6:58 p.m.Did we, the people vote on a smoking ban? Nice to have our local politicians looking out for our welfare.
March 28, 2008 at 1:04 a.m.As for your story, that is the problem with second references. If you were not there, too many points can be left out. No doubt 5 cops is a waste ( you would think simply patroling would be good enough) for a simple complaint. I'm pretty certain that some theif, wife beater, or drunk driver was getting a free pass while they rousted the smokers. Oh well, maybe the bar had some hot coffee!
one thing you have to remember about police officers is that they too have superiors to report to. While the "quota" thing is mostly not true (I have family in law enforcement), the more tickets you turn in, the more work you appear to be doing. So it's not just about doing their job of protecting and serving...it's showing proof that they're doing their job of protecting and serving.
March 27, 2008 at 9:45 p.m.THE OFFICERS SOUND LIKE THEY WERE JUST DOING THEIR JOB BUT IT DOES SEEM TO BE OVER KILL. THERE MUST HAVE BEEN SOME OTHER CONCERN THAT THEY HAD TO HAVE RESONABLE CAUSE TO APPROUCH THEM. NO TELLING.
March 27, 2008 at 5:40 p.m.BUT COULD YOU IMMAGINE THEM BEING HAULED IN AND HAVING TO TELL THE OTHER INMATES THEY WERE IN FOR SMOKING IN A BAR. MAN THEY NEED TO BE DEPORTED FOR SURE.
AND SO NO ONE WILL COME OFF ON ME FOR PICKING ON THE COPS OR THE IMAGRANTS I WAS JUST BEING SARCASTIC.COME ON IT SOUNDS FUNNY LIKE STING 93 SAID YOUR JUST WATING FOR A PUNCH LINE.
AND I DON'T LIKE SMOKING EITHER BUT IT'S A BAR LATE AT NIGHT YOU SHOULD EXSPECT DRINKING AND SMOKING IN A BAR LATE AT NIGHT. AND YES OFFICERS DESERVE GREAT RESPECT ESPECIALY IF THEY ARE MADE TO ARREST SMOKERS , J WALKERS, AND PEOPLE WITH BROKE TALE LIGHTS. AND IF THIS WAS THE CASE WITH THIS IN SOLELY BEING SMOKING IN A BAR THEN THEY PROBUBLY HAD TO KID EACH OTHER ABOUT THE BIG BUST THEY HAD TO GO ON.
No need to worry about how much the five cops cost the city to roust some smokers in a bar. They'll make it up in speeding tickets. Whether they are "enforcing' the no-smoking laws or the speed laws, mostly they're revenue agents for the city.
March 27, 2008 at 12:20 p.m.I'm sorry...I was looking for a punchline in there somewhere...."a brit, a scot, and a hispanic guy were sitting in a bar....."
March 26, 2008 at 11:15 p.m.To be arrested for behaving in a disorderly way is one thing but to be arrested for PI because one happens to be in a bar where there is alleged smoking going on is something else. Yes the city did pass that ordinance but the police don't have to actively enforce it if they so choose. Kinda like the parking ticket thing, only if someone complains.
March 26, 2008 at 8:57 p.m.Well Angel I found your remarks to be informative and relative. And you are right about some things. I should have not revealed that I "was" a retired cop. Does working the street and doing the job count? I was not a detective nor a chief of police nor a sniper or a SWAT member. Just a guy who went to work and came home. Done what he was told and drew a paycheck. In 2004 I retired from the Fort Sam Brooke army medical center as a police officer(cause they had better benefits) I have been called everything from a wal-security guard to the Gestapo. All of which I took in stride cause that the job. And yes I have worked as a regular police officer ,it's all the same . But you are right. I just revealed that I "use" to be a cop because I understand their work.
March 26, 2008 at 7:26 p.m.Do I agree or disagree with the ban on smoking? Well it's already passed and a done deal . So no use to complain. I just question the tactic used is all. And I ask if there was a complain or something else is all. But for you to attack me in such a way I don't understand. I speak up for the police and I support them Cause without them this country would be complete anarchy But there is all ways room for improvement.
Roy...you claim to be ex-cop but act completely ignorant when it comes to police work. Knowing the nature of their work you should be aware that just because 5 officers show up in a bar and ask people about smoking cigarrettes does not necessarily mean that's why they were even there. More than likely if they did show up in numbers then there was a reason. Perhaps this particular bar has been getting complaints and it is a problem...could be other reasons as well.
March 26, 2008 at 4:08 p.m.You also have no idea what was actually said by the officers and yet you claim first hand knowledge based on someone else's word...another thing that an "ex-cop" should know NOT to do.
Oh and VBB, if you are drunk IN a bar, the officer does not have to take you outside of the bar to arrest you for PI. You are already in a public place being in the bar.
Roy I think your attitude on this subject is very negative and uninformed. There are some really stupid things that people in Victoria complain about. You think cops don't know that? But if they don't do anything about they get just as many people complaining due to their "lack" of action or concern.
I'm so sick of people complaining. It became an ordinance because people wanted it. So get over it. The police are just doing their jobs.
Yelp I do believe they can if they feel like it. I have personally seen people removed from their vehicle and charged then with PI. Used to be a town called Nolanville that was infamous for it.
March 26, 2008 at 2:58 p.m.If the police drag you out of the bar to question you about smoking & you have had a few drinks could they then arrest you for Public Intoxication?
March 26, 2008 at 2:46 p.m.