Norman police will begin enforcing a new ordinance Thursday for anyone deciding to light up in Norman city parks.
The ordinance, approved by the Norman City Council June 23, bans tobacco use in any Norman city park. A similar proposed ban failed two years ago.
Signs were posted in city parks Monday to inform citizens of the changes that were to come.
Norman Police Capt. Leonard Judy said that based upon the experiences of other cities that have enacted similar ordinances, the police department anticipates good compliance by Norman citizens and other park visitors.
“We expect that our primary role will be one of education about the ordinance, rather than enforcement of it,” he said.
The ordinance excludes Westwood Golf Course because city officials say smoking on the golf course is not as likely to bother or harm others. Norman city parking lots are also exempt.
Norman is the third city in Oklahoma to pass such an ordinance, after Owasso and Noble, according to Parks Director Jud Foster. He said the ordinance is important because cigarette butts left on the ground pose a threat to children who might put them in their mouths.
“It’s a public health issue and it’s about the example we are setting for children,” Foster said.
Judy also said officers have been informed of the new ordinance and will primarily act to inform violators early on rather than cite them. However, if violators exhibit an unwillingness to comply when contacted by the officer, they may still be cited.
According to Judy, violators can receive a citation. If the defendant appears within five working days and enters a guilty or no contest plea with a court clerk, the cost will be a $10 to $100 fine and another $44 in court costs.
Judy also said if the defendant fails to appear, a new charge of ‘failure to appear’ will be added and a warrant may be issued for his or her arrest.
The Norman community’s reaction to the ban has varied.
Robert Foster, political science sophomore, said he is thrilled with the new ordinance. He frequently goes to city parks with friends and said not only are the cigarette butts littering the ground unappealing and bad for the environment, but he also dislikes the secondhand smoke of passersby.
“When I go to the park I expect it to be a healthy, wholesome, fun experience,” he said. “Now in parks I am choking on a stranger’s smoke- it’s no different than when I was walking on a crowded sidewalk in New York City.”
Whitney Rogers, 21, is a smoker and frequent Andrews Park visitor. She said she used to go to concerts and summer events in the park and smoking was just part of the relaxing atmosphere.
“I won’t be going to the park events near as much if I can’t smoke,” Rogers said. “Smoking is part of what I do to relax and enjoy my time in the park. I see people at these events drinking alcohol and then they drive home. How can it be fair that they can drink but I can’t smoke?”
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learnitagain 2 years, 10 months ago
bahaha, children eat cigarette butts?