No, not the criminals that are shooting at buses or committing armed robbery. The police are busy finding the real, hardened criminals in Peoria: Smokers.
Yes, when I survey the crime being committed in Peoria, I would have to put “smoking in bars” at the top of my list. How can city residents have any peace of mind knowing that some Joe down at Duffys Tap is puffing on a cigarette? I mean, really!
Fortunately for our fair city, the police are on it:
SMOKING VIOLATIONS. The Police Department has completed an unannounced inspection of bars in Peoria for potential smoking violations. The inspections took place over 4 separate occasions, for a total of 90 man hours. A complete list of establishments that were inspected is attached. A total of 8 citations were issued at 3 different locations, as follows:
- Cheers and Beers (4201 SW Adams), 2 citations for smokers, 1 citation to the bar for allowing smoking
- Duffys Tap (1900 W. Antoinette), 1 citation for a smoker, 1 citation to the bar for allowing smoking
- Behmer’s Dugout (2422 N. Knoxville), 2 citations for smokers, 1 citation to the bar for allowing smoking
Prior to the officers departure from each location, officers identified themselves to staff and informed them of their purpose and the outcome of the visit. This operation was possible due to Sheriff McCoy’s $5,000 sharing of a grant which he had been awarded for this purpose.
(Source: Issues Update 7/22/2011.) That’s right — 90 man hours and $5,000 in tax money (don’t let the “grant” language fool you — that just means it’s coming out of your left pocket instead of your right pocket). I’m glad we’re spending our time and money on ferreting out these scofflaws. Don’t you feel safer?
I am glad they are enforcing the law. Second hand smoke threatens the health and welfare of innocent families and children far more than gangsters killing gangsters in the wee hours of the morning. You are way off base on this one, CJ. Surprising.
I’d feel a little more comfortable in Peoria if there were a few less semi-automatic weapons floating around. I cigarette doesn’t frighten me. I can chose to go elsewhere if someone is smoking.
Let’s not blame the officers…they are just doing what they are ordered to do. I wonder what revenue will be collected on these tickets…I hope it is more than $5,000.00!
Just me…couldn’t disagree with you more. It’s that exact type of attitude on crime from our city leaders that has put Peoria in the mess it’s in.
Hope no one gets caught smoking at the new museum. Ransburg would probably push for life in prison.
I, for one, feel SOOOO much better knowing I can now go to Duffy’s tonight and not have to worry about smokers inside. Let’s just hope I safely dodge the bullets and miss the street mobs on my way in and out of the place.
I don’t blame the officers; I understand they’re following orders. I just think this is a waste of manpower and money. Sadly, it doesn’t look like they made anywhere near $5,000. According to Public Act 095-0017 (“Smoke Free Illinois Act”), Section 45:
So, going by the list published in the Issues Update, there were five citations to individuals, and three citations given to bar owners. Most likely these are first offenses, so the total fine would be $1,250, of which only half ($625) goes to the “enforcing agency,” which would be either the police department or the sheriff’s department. (Even if these were repeat offenders, the maximum fine would have been $8,750, of which $4,375 would have gone to the enforcing agency.)
Ahh, I sleep better now. Guess the sheriff had Money to “burn up” with the grant or loose it. Did not see any clubs inspected such as VFW, Elks ect.
Total waste of valuable police time. Another total waste of police resources are alcohol sales stings where little Johnny shows the bartender his real driver’s license, showing him to be underage, hoping to take advantage of the bar’s dim lighting or the bartender’s poor math skills. If I were a bartender, I would have a scissors behind the bar, just waiting to get my hands on one of those.
Smokers don’t have guns, thugs do. Maybe that is why the cops are more willing to go after smokers and not the thugs.
Dear Bar Owners,
Put away the ashtrays, the fine is increased to $10,000, any questions?
Best Regards
@ just me: I’d understand your position more if they were catching people in restaurants but they are going to bars. Do you often see families with children (and the children in tow)at bar? This is no more going to affect them than the new Big Al’s being by the daycare center.
If people are really health conscious…, then why are they going to bars? By far, the majority of people who go to bars commit a crime when they leave and are operating a motor vehicle.
Hey CJ, I just checked wondering if ONE of the 14 laws that VanAuken, Gulley, Riggenbach, Irving, Turner, Spain, and WEaver voted that the City should overlook and NOT enforce was NO SMOKING IN MICKIE D’s on Knoxville,……………. I didnt see a insoection check there either so I wasnt sure. Besides if you spend 2 million dollars and collect taxes for boondogles at a level higher than Behmers, Cheers and Beers and Duffys no law is important enough to be enforced……………. Its all about the all mighty buck……….. whether its because of a grant or because you can afford a 2 plus million dollar rebuild to yesterday’s standards instead if tomorrow’s vision.
the people doing the shooting don’t pay tickets, like the smokers will.
I am happy the police are enforcing the law
I see the 2 juveniles were made the scapegoats by PHA…what happened to all of the supposed thugs from Chicago ??? How about PHA admin and security do their job!!! They have a budget about the same size as dist 150. Both organizations are a joke. And piss taxpayers money down the drain.
I am content with most bars being smoke free and if it were me I’d not enforce it at these places. That is the downfall of laws – you can’t be selective about enforcement. Giving a hoot about your health and drinking at dive bars do not have a strong correlation, so if it were my call I’d say let’em smoke!
I thought this law was going to be enforced through complaints. That seemed like a more cost effective and fair solution to me.
Is this strictly a police issue, or can the local Fire Depts. inspect based on Regs. or Code? Also, noisy boats catch no fish.