Bar owners: Baltimore cops target smokers for loitering

BALTIMORE (Map, News) - Banished smokers taking nicotine breaks outside bars in one of Baltimore City’s trendy neighborhoods are being told to move or face fines and arrest for loitering, bar owners said.

Hampden bar owners said they were shocked last week when police began warning patrons to move 150 feet away from the entrance of bars they were patronizing or face loitering charges.

“Loitering has always been a legitimate problem in the neighborhood that we couldn’t get police to deal with,” said Benn Ray, owner of Atomic Books and head of the Hampden Village Merchants Association.

“So why all of sudden is the Police Department being aggressive with smokers when they haven’t been enforcing loitering laws for 10 years?”

Ray said drug addicts, prostitutes and even dealers can be seen prowling the area around his store on the main drag in Hampden.

But despite requests for additional officers and foot patrols in one of the city’s most vibrant shopping districts, Ray said police have pursued smokers.

“Harassing customers who are smoking creates a dysfunctional relationship with the community.”

At Frazier’s, a popular Hampden hangout, day manager Tabrina Sherman said the message police gave to patrons smoking outside her bar was clear.

“They were told they need to move 150 feet away or they will be fined first and arrested the second time.”

City officials said enforcing loitering laws has grown trickier since the statewide smoking ban went into effect Feb. 1.

“Particularly in front of bars where there have been a history of problems, we have asked patrols to be aggressive to enforce the loitering laws; however, the smoking ban changes the dynamic,” said Sterling Clifford, spokesman for the Police Department.

“This is an unintended consequence of two well-intentioned laws.”

But Geli Ioannou, owner of Zissimos, a few blocks west of Fraziers’, said targeting his patrons does not make sense.

“First the state raises taxes, and then we have a smoking ban, and now I have to deal with this,” said Ioannou standing outside his bar as a customer took a midafternoon smoke break.

“It makes no sense to harass my customers and ignore drug addicts and prostitutes.”

sjanis@baltimoreexaminer.com

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