New York City bans cell phones during public performances

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Spac3d

Banned
Jul 3, 2001
6,651
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Link to Cnn

NEW YORK CITY (Reuters) -- Cellular telephones won't be ringing in Broadway theaters, movie houses or concert halls -- at least not legally -- as of Sunday as New York City restricts the use of mobile phones to improve the quality of life there.

The new law bans the use of mobile phones in "any indoor theater, library, museum, gallery, motion picture theater, concert hall or building in which theatrical, musical, dance, motion picture, lecture or other similar performances are exhibited."

Passed by the City Council, which overrode a veto by Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who said the ban was unenforceable, the law carries a fine of $50 for offenders who are caught and cited.

The legislation was first proposed by theater owners whose patrons complained of cell phones ringing during performances.

The ban, however, includes a large loophole -- city council members ruled their own chambers exempt, despite the often raucous, public performances that take place there.
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blackdogdeek

Lifer
Mar 14, 2003
14,453
10
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i like the intent but i don't see how they can enforce it in movie theatres and broadway shows which imo are the worst offenders.
 
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Spac3d

Banned
Jul 3, 2001
6,651
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Originally posted by: blackdogdeek
i like the intent but i don't see how they can enforce it in movie theatres and broadway shows which imo are the worst offenders.
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I don't either. Who would write out the fines?

 
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Mill

Lifer
Oct 10, 1999
28,558
3
81
Originally posted by: blackdogdeek
i like the intent but i don't see how they can enforce it in movie theatres and broadway shows which imo are the worst offenders.
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That was Bloomberg's point, yet the asshat city council overrode him. I think he might have a little bit more sense than them.
 
B

blackdogdeek

Lifer
Mar 14, 2003
14,453
10
81
perhaps the city council knows something bloomberg doesn't. like the newly installed stealth citation-writing robots? :) who can see in the dark of course.
 
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Spac3d

Banned
Jul 3, 2001
6,651
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Originally posted by: blackdogdeek
perhaps the city council knows something bloomberg doesn't. like the newly installed stealth citation-writing robots? :) who can see in the dark of course.
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Maybe it will be the pimple faced teenage employees of the movie theater's:p
 
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yowolabi

Diamond Member
Jun 29, 2001
4,183
2
81
It's a great idea. All they need to do now is create a special bureau of mobile phone enforcement (BoMP), and deploy them at movie theaters and broadway shows across the city. I'm sure the revenue from the $50 tickets will more than cover the cost of the new department.
 
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Fausto

Elite Member
Nov 29, 2000
26,521
2
0
Now all they need is a rider on that bill capping the punishment for those who beat the tar out of cell phone offenders in public performances to $5 and a slap on the wrist. :D
 
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isasir

Diamond Member
Aug 8, 2000
8,609
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Well I assume it's one of those things, like the law against jaywalking, which, while not really enforceable, it's at least a law. By being a law, some people will respect it, whereas they may not have before.
 
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loup garou

Lifer
Feb 17, 2000
35,132
1
81
Won't some guy standing up in a movie theater, walking over to an offender, and busting them for using a cellphone create even more of a distraction than a ringing cellphone?
 
Vic

Vic

Elite Member
Jun 12, 2001
50,422
14,337
136
NYC is getting quite the collection of useless, unenforcable laws, aren't they?
rolleye.gif
:p
 
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yowolabi

Diamond Member
Jun 29, 2001
4,183
2
81
Originally posted by: werk
Won't some guy standing up in a movie theater, walking over to an offender, and busting them for using a cellphone create even more of a distraction than a ringing cellphone?
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Without a doubt, but unlike the cellphone ringing, the guy being busted has entertainment value.
 
rh71

rh71

No Lifer
Aug 28, 2001
52,844
1,049
126
Originally posted by: werk
Won't some guy standing up in a movie theater, walking over to an offender, and busting them for using a cellphone create even more of a distraction than a ringing cellphone?
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This is the first thing that came to my mind. If it's a law now, people will take the aggravation level to a new high. Some people will take it into their own hands to "enforce" this law (because there won't be anyone else looking out for it) and there will be more problems than solutions... Bloomberg was attempting to do the right thing...

I'm all for curbing people with new laws (I've seen people stopped on the side of the roads with cellphones now - I guess that's good), but this is nowhere near enforceable by citations. All hell shall break loose...
 
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MacGaven

Golden Member
Dec 5, 2002
1,854
0
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Excellent, the law has granted me vigilate status and I will enforce the laws as I see fit.

I'm gonna bust open a can of WHUP-ASS on some people!
 
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TranceNation

Platinum Member
Jan 6, 2001
2,041
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it gives theatre managemant a firmer reason to kick out people who have are in violation of the law. previously, without the law, if a theatre tries to kick out a person, they wouldn't have any firm grounds to do so and may liable for lawsuit.
 
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yowolabi

Diamond Member
Jun 29, 2001
4,183
2
81
Originally posted by: TranceNation
it gives theatre managemant a firmer reason to kick out people who have are in violation of the law. previously, without the law, if a theatre tries to kick out a person, they wouldn't have any firm grounds to do so and may liable for lawsuit.
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Sure they have grounds. As long as they put up a sign that says turn your cellphone off or you'll be ejected. It's private property. They don't need a law to have rules.
 
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Kevin

Diamond Member
Jan 1, 2002
3,995
1
0
Originally posted by: Brutuskend
GOOD

Now if they would just ban them for IDIOTS driving down the road!
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I drive with my cellphone all the time.

Of course I use my speaker attachment. It was like $20 and works great. I don't know why people complain about handsfree devices. Everyone who sees it connected to my V60 and uses it, goes right out and buys one... :)
 
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glen

Lifer
Apr 28, 2000
15,995
1
81
Some 50,000 plus folks have tickets to see the Masters, where cell phone are prohibited.
No one wants to hear a cell phone go off when some golfer is in the middle of his back swing.
The solution?
Phones are banned.
You may not even bring one in turned off.
If they find a phone, you loose your tickets forever.
You were using someoen else's tickets?
They loose them forever.
What are tickets worth?
Most folks get two per year for around $100 each.
They scalp for $5,000 a pair.
I never hear cell phones go off.
 
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