What would you do?

[Daisy14'sDH]

I'm not sure what I'm more PO'd about, peoples defiance of local smoking bylaws, people littering to suce a disgusting degree or there lack of concern over the impression it leaves people with. I'm trying to compose a letter to our local politicians in hopes that these gardens ca at least be cleaned on a regular basis seeing as their security guards are busy smoking here with the general public!

I know artistically these photos are weak but this is something I see nearly everyday visiting my DW's mom in the hospital. Oddly enough our city has been doing a big campaign about littering and this really bugs me especially in a no smoking area...

Does looking in a beautiful garden and seeing what should be soil look attractive?

Here you can clearly see the no smoking sign on the sidewalk

Aother photo of many peoples defiance over the local authorities attempts at keeping the air clean as well as the beauty of its entryway gardens!

 

[lotzasunshine]

I don't blame you for being ticked off. I am never surprised by the lack of consideration shown by *most* smokers. I know that some are conscientious and considerate, but the majority I have seen are disrespectful, littering, selfish people. Our state has a law where you are not supposed to smoke within 20 feet of a store, public building, restaurant entrance, and I am consistently seeing the inconsiderate smokers right outside the door (especially in bad weather). Being an asthmatic, the smoke affects me more than the litter. But I agree that in the area you pictured there should be a system of cleaning, or possible enforcement of littering fines. I think you are right to send a letter to the politicians in your area. Just coming from a fiscal point of view, more fines brings in more revenue, and it won't cost to clean up

 

[funkychunkymonkey]

I work for a hospital daycare. There are no smoking signs posted everywere bit the security gaurds and a ton of nurses think its ok to smoke and toss there butts RIGHT ON our grounds. I mean we have kids playing in the front yard of the daycare and picking these things up. Its gross. Ive actully gone as far as walking up to the security gaurds and pointing out that the daycare area is a no smoking zone and is on hospital property. It works for me. I wish you luck with dealing with your butt-heads!

 

[My2Girls66]

Wow! That is horrible! What a bunch of slobs. I have friends that are smokers and they will put the butt out and take it with them not just drop in on the ground. I had someone flick a cigarette from their car on the highway once and it landed right on my windshield and got stuck on the windshield wiper. P.U.!
I would write a letter. All those beautiful flowers deserve more than cigarette butts for mulch.

 

[MarkBarbieri]

If you see someone smoking there, demand to see their ID.

 

[photo_chick]

If you see someone smoking there, demand to see their ID.

Don't forget to photograph them in the act first.


Seriously though... it is a sad thing when not only are people violating a city ordinance but they are that disrespectful.

 

[C&B Young]

I'm not sure what I'm more PO'd about, peoples defiance of local smoking bylaws, people littering to suce a disgusting degree or there lack of concern over the impression it leaves people with. I'm trying to compose a letter to our local politicians in hopes that these gardens ca at least be cleaned on a regular basis seeing as their security guards are busy smoking here with the general public!

Hello fellow Hamiltonian! Which hospital is this? Such beautiful gardens, it's disgusting to see all of those cigarette butts. I wonder if showing the pictures to a City Councillor would help get some results? An election is coming up, and they might have a little extra "motivation" to take action.

 

[Daisy14'sDH]

Actually we are Tony Creekers! Lol, thats the General Hospital on Barton. Probably the worst area in the city to demand to see ID! Its a pretty poor neighborhood... my DW was nervous of me using the camera there.... at least I think thats why she stood 50 feet away from me!

 

[C&B Young]

You'd figure the General should be the safest hospital in the city, what with the police bringing all the stabbing and shooting victims there!

 

[Daisy14'sDH]

I think you are forgetting about the high volume of crack overdoses! But regardless of the neighborhood generally its not them smoking there its the Patients, visitors and staff (to a smaller degree I'm sure)

 

[My2Girls66]

Shootings, stabbings and crack overdoses? Oh my! Daisy14'sDH and C&BYoung, you just ruined my image of Canada!
Ok, I'm kidding. Kindo of. I know everywhere has its seedy places and characters.

 

[Daisy14'sDH]

Its a small section of the city, honestly! There are a lot of beautiful places in our area.

 

[C&B Young]

And at least with the 1 way streets you can pass through the "not so nice" areas in under a minute.

 

[My2Girls66]

I'll get up that way someday. Hopefully this summer. I live over the border in NH and have never been anywhere in eastern Canada Only western BC, Whistler and Vancover, which we LOVED

 

[Daisy14'sDH]

We arent very Eastern, we're very close to Buffalo and nearly directly North of Cleveland. However the East Coast is beautiful, or so I've been told!

 

[My2Girls66]

We arent very Eastern, we're very close to Buffalo and nearly directly North of Cleveland. However the East Coast is beautiful, or so I've been told!

I'd love to go to the east coast of Canada. Nova Scotia looks beautiful. We are a 5 hr drive from Montreal and 7hrs from Quebec City. Hopefully will get to one this summer. Nova Scotia and Newfoundland are long hauls, unfortunately.

 

[zackiedawg]

I'd do precisely what you are thinking of doing - write of your disappointment and encourage the city to post someone there or have them come by more regularly specifically looking for people breaking the ordinance. It should quickly take effect if someone is posted there regularly for just a few days or a week.

I'd refrain from classifying even 'most' smokers as behaving this way, as you may ignite a bit more controversy than you want. There are lots of discourteous and slobby people out there - smokers and not - who ignore ordinances or just don't think about litter and appearance. Quite a few smokers I'm sure would be equally disgusted and annoyed with such behavior, and not appreciate being lumped in with those folks. And I'm not a smoker, by the way, lest you think I'm defending myself!

Your photo could be a great tool in helping take action - I'd send a print of it with your letter...especially the one with the no-smoking sign perfectly visible behind all the cigarette hulks!