Which is a worse use of police power?

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

In a nutshell at my work it's well known that the police often patrol the parking lot, and that they've measured exactly 25 feet from the building's entrance. So basically they used to hang out there and then ticket anyone who stepped within that 25 feet, even by an inch before extinguishing their cigarette. (That was actually one of the first things they warned us about at training.)

I say used to because now they don't even bother with the 25 feet, they just interpret the law now as that no smoking is allowed on the corporate property at all except the designated smoking lounge and ticket people who get out of their cars before putting out their cigarettes. Basically you can't even walk across the parking lot now with any type of lit cigarette.

Of course I consider this far preferable to harassing marijuana users or prostitutes.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

Smoking within 25 feet of a workplace is illegal in Minnesota.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

There actually have been two incidents of bushes catching fire because of cigarette butts for the record. Basically after the second they sent out an email about putting them in the correct receptacles for them and if another fire happened ALL smoking on the property would be banned. Now people don't litter their cigarettes everywhere anymore.