Dialing 9-1-1 For Smokers

The anti-smoking campaign may have jumped the shark in Omaha:

Omaha's tough new anti-smoking ordinance banning the practice in nearly all public places comes with an even tougher enforcement policy.

The Nebraska city's elected leaders and police department are urging residents who see violations to call the 9-1-1 emergency system for an immediate response.

Omaha banned smoking in public Oct. 2. Penalties are $100 for the first offense, $200 for the second and $500 for the third and subsequent infractions.

Teresa Negron, sergeant in charge of public information for the police, explained the department encourages observers of infractions to pick up the phone to report the infraction – just like they would for any other crime they observe being committed.

They'll probably get a chance to regret their decision to encourage 9-1-1 calls when someday something big happens in Omaha (it could happen) and the cops are busy answering smoker calls.