Police cite first violation of smoking ban
A Greencastle bar is the first local business to receive a citation and fine for alleged violations of the city's smoking ban that was passed by the city council last year.
The owner of Moore's Bar, Carolyn Hammond, along with three patrons of the establishment, were handed tickets Thursday by Greencastle police officers responding to repeated complaints about smoking inside the business, Police Chief Tom Sutherlin told the BannerGraphic Friday.
"There was full cooperation from the owner, Mrs. Hammond, and the three patrons that were cited," Sutherlin said.
Sutherlin said he and several officers from the police department walked into the bar on Thursday to investigate complaints and observed three patrons of the bar smoking. Hammond was also cited because she is the owner, Sutherlin said.
Hammond was ordered to pay a $100 fine and the patrons who were smoking will each have to pay $50, as required by the ordinance passed by the city council last year. Sutherlin said they have 10 days to comply.
In light of the recent citations, Mayor Sue Murray said she wanted to remind the public that the ordinance went into effect on Sept. 1 of last year and that smoking in all public establishments in the city, except for private clubs, is prohibited.
"It is indeed what the council passed and it did become law for the city of Greencastle," Murray said.
Hammond declined to comment on the situation Friday.
Police Chief Sutherlin said his department will continue to respond to complaints and issue citations, including at Moore's.
"My comment to the owner was as long as we get complaints, we will come back for enforcement," he said.