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Video: Do Smoking Scofflaws Deserve To Get Punched?
By
Jaya Saxena
Published Jan 17, 2011
Modified Jan 17, 2011
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By
Jaya Saxena
Published Jan 17, 2011
Modified Jan 17, 2011
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On Friday, MyFoxNY obtained video (below) of a lady on the B35 bus who clearly hasn't been on public transportation since the 80s. Passengers were outraged when the woman lit up a cigarette in the middle of the crowded bus, and then refused to put it out or to get off. The MTA says violators to their no smoking rule "will be fined," but the bus driver instead decided to kick her out. Sounds fair, right? Well, the blurry video seems to show the driver sneaking in a jab at the woman after he forcefully escorted her off:
Video: Driver Tosses Smoking Woman from Bus: MyFoxNY.com
Even though it's not like smokers get treated better anywhere else, witnesses say the punch may have been a bit harsh. Jermaine Johnson, who took the video, suggests the driver should have called 911: "Regardless of her being disruptive, she didn't make any strikes at anyone." Another woman said, "If that had been my mother it would have been a problem." The MTA acknowledges that it's illegal to smoke on any NYCT or MTA property, but say it is trying to identify the driver and interview him. They say his actions are inappropriate and he should have called the bus command center. And let the woman keep smoking on the bus, putting the passengers in grave danger? Bloomberg forbid!
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