No Citations (Yet) for Smoking on the Beach

According to Gulfport Police call logs and records, Chief Robert Vincent says only one attempt to warn a person about the new smoking ban ended in an arrest. But the arrest was unrelated to the new ordinance.

Vincent says that on Friday, Dec. 2, Sgt. Mary Farrand stopped Mark Reynolds to inform him of the smoking ban. She discovered he had an outstanding warrant, and he was arrested on that charge.

"That is the only enforcement action we’ve had thus far. We are still waiting on more regulatory signage before we begin anything in earnest," Vincent explained.

Officers have not spotted any smokers in prohibited areas over the past six weeks. No warnings or citations have been issued.

In an effort to educate the public, the city and police department issued a 30-day warning period after signs were installed. To date, City Manager Jim O'Reilly says they've installed 16 signs and have ordered nine more.

For now, officials continue to educate and inform people before issuing a citation.

"A citation issued for violation of this ordinance would be a Class III violation, which currently carries a $143 fine," according to Vincent.

The smoking ban affects the Gulfport Beach, athletic fields and facilities and playgrounds in the city. It was passed by unanimous vote of the City Council on Nov. 1.

Vincent adds that the ban applies to the Gulfport Beach parking lot. There have been reports of cigarette butts found in the parking areas and Vincent is reminding people that it's part of the beach and the ban applies to that too.

The ban affects the following locations in Gulfport:

• Gulfport Beach (shoreline from the Rec Center to the Casino)
• Gulfport Recreation Center's playgrounds and outdoor basketball court
• Gulfport Little League Complex
• Hoyt Field Baseball Field
• Tomlinson Park Skateboard Park and children's playground
• Chase Park tennis Courts
• Chase Park children's playground
• Caldwell Park children's playground

The ban does not affect:

• Clam Bayou
• Wood Ibis Park
• Veterans Park
• Shoreline from the Gulfport Casino to the Pier