In Omaha, which recently enacted a restaurant smoking ban, authorities are urging vigilant citizens who notice illicit smoking to call 911 to summon a police response. The local emergency coordinator has objected, saying 911 calls over smoking could overwhelm the system and distract dispatchers from more dire emergencies, but the police department says it is sticking by its advisory. (“Dial 911 To Report Smokers”, KETV, Sept. 28; “911 Director: Smoking Reports Could Overwhelm System”, Sept. 28).
See someone smoking? Call 911
In Omaha, which recently enacted a restaurant smoking ban, authorities are urging vigilant citizens who notice illicit smoking to call 911 to summon a police response. The local emergency coordinator has objected, saying 911 calls over smoking could overwhelm the system and distract dispatchers from more dire emergencies, but the police department says it is […]
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And then we’ll see the police department crying out for more funding to meet these new demands….
FYI — Omaha does not have a ban on smoking in restaurants. Our ban is for anyplace that does not have KENO (local gambling) or does not serve food. There are a lot of places you can still smoke and eat in Omaha.