No-smoking rules in city parks not always followed

Two moms — who sat on either side of a small no-smoking sign — lit up Monday in Austin Park. One of them was relaxed on a park bench while the other one sat on the cool grass beneath a tree. Both were watching their children splash around in the spray park and claimed they had not seen the sign. All city parks are tobacco-free since City Council banned smoking a year ago. The sign reminds visitors that there are “Young Lungs at Play” and that the park is a tobacco-free zone. But since it depends on smokers to voluntarily abide, the policy has not been fully effective.

“If I was more aware of it I would have no problem going across the street,” said one mom who asked not to be identified. “It will definitely make me want to look up the law now. I’m not the only one, there were others smoking.” Penelope, who asked that her last name not be used, said that she had smoked while on the bench. She too said she was not aware of the policy and took out a small plastic pouch to show that she had not littered with the butts. Neither woman was familiar with Batavia, with one being from Wyoming County and the other a new resident. “I like the fact that you can’t smoke near the hospital or on school grounds,” Penelope said.

“If someone told me about (the policy) I would put out my cigarette.” Kiersten Richenberg, who was babysitting for neighbors, noticed the smoking, she said. She also did not know of the city’s policy but didn’t think that would matter. She doubted she’d go over to a stranger to remind them. She was in favor of the ban. “There are a lot of little kids around,” she said. Kevin Keenan, coordinator of Smoke-Free NOW at GCASA, said he has been concerned about the policy since it passed last July. “We need to get more signs,” he said. “

Some people are smoking still. We could use a little education from the city. I think at this point it’s out of sight out of mind.” City Councilwoman Rose Mary Christian, who did not vote for the ban, said the city has got enough to worry about right now. “Smoking signs are the least of my problem to think about. I can tell you that neighborhoods and all residential properties are concerns to everyone. We also have many streets in the city that need repairs,” she said.

“The railroad tracks on Swan Street are horrible. The drugs sold in the city happens to be another problem. People are suffering domestic abuse. Our police department needs people to be vigilant and report any suspicious people in neighborhoods. Churches have been vandalized, cars broken into and home burglaries have occurred. We need to have infrastructure and neighborhoods safe for residents in the city.”