Subject: [NEXTEL-1] Cell Phone Ban at Public Performances Takes Effect in New York City

From: Marcel <[email-masked]>
Date: Thu, 17 Apr 2003 01:34:39 -0400

Cell Phone Ban at Public Performances Takes Effect in New York City

As of Sunday, New York City restricts the use of mobile phones in
Broadway
theatres, movie houses and concert halls. Passed by the City Council,
which
overrode a veto by Mayor Michael Bloomberg, the law carries a $50 fine.
The
legislation was first proposed by theater owners whose patrons
complained of
wireless phones ringing during performances. CTIA has argued that such
legislation is unnecessary and unenforceable, emphasizing that wireless
phones come with a mute button, volume control and an on/off switch that

wireless consumers can use when a ringing phone is inappropriate.

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CITY RINGS IN CELL-PHONE BAN
Mon Apr 14, 4:45 AM ET

A tough new law restricting the use of cell phones
 in the city went into effect
yesterday.

It 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 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.

 http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/nypost/20030414/lo_nypost/city_rings_in_cell_phone_ban