Smoking on City Sidewalks (Florence: city hall, schools, ordinance)

[iliftiron]

Can you make someone stop smoking on a city sidewalk? I'm a security officer in florence, south carolina and McLeod Hospital is saying that we have to make people stop smoking on the public sidewalk in front of the hospital. The sidewalk is approx. 150 to 200 feet from the hospital. I have researched but can't find any answers. And the kicker is if they don't stop smoking,we have to escort them off property and then arrest them if they don't leave!!!
I don't mind arresting people for the right reason but I think this is stupid! Bottom line is WE DON"T OWN the sidewalk. The city and state do! Any help would be greatly appreciated!!!

[baylovers]

Good question.... I know that the "no smoking ban" is picking up pace throughout the country. The Town of Surfside adopted a no smoking ban recently that has kicked up the dust. If you care to read it: http://www.surfsidebeach.org/pdf/smo...20approved.pdf

In this ordinance it states that you may not smoke within 30 feet of any public building. I suppose that would include any hospitals, schools & government buildings.

The hospital may have their own rules that prohibits smoking on their property including sidewalks & parking areas.

[janrey]

From your comment that you have to "escort them off the property" makes me think that the property the sidewalk is on *IS* owned by the hospital and that your mistaken that is it public property. You can probably verify for sure through Florence City Hall.