Associated Press Page 1 of 1

10:55 AM Dec. 19, 2002 PT

NEW YORK -- The City Council on Wednesday approved a bill that would ban the use of cell phones at public performances in New York, from Broadway shows to highbrow art galleries to Madison Square Garden concerts.

The legislation, which would create one of the nation's strictest cell phone bans, passed the council 40-9. Mayor Michael Bloomberg has said he would veto the bill, but the council has enough votes to override him.

The ban would include concerts, movies, plays, lectures, dance performances, museums, libraries and galleries. Cell phone use would still be permitted at sporting events, such as basketball arenas and baseball stadiums.

The legislation requires venues to announce the ban to audiences before each performance or to post signs stating the prohibition. Cell phone use would be allowed in emergencies.

No other large city in the nation has imposed such a ban, and it was unclear whether a municipality of any size had done so, City Council staffers said.

Talking on a cell phone, listening on one or even having one ring during a performance would constitute a violation and a $50 fine. But it hadn't been determined how the prohibition would be enforced.

"We would expect this legislation to be essentially self-enforcing," City Council Speaker Gifford Miller said. "It's common sense. It's courtesy."

The City Council members who voted against the bill said they did so because it would be impossible to enforce or because they believe it is not the panel's role to make such laws.

Bloomberg will veto the bill because it's not enforceable, a spokesman said.

The Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association, an international organization for wireless service providers and manufacturers, maintained that cell phone etiquette should not be legislated.

-- Anonymous, December 19, 2002

Answers

When I worked at the Playhouse the house manager's staff would take the cell phones and beepers, tag them with the seat number of the owner, and keep them in the lobby. if one went off they would take the call or the beeper number to the person in that seat. Quietly, of course. If it was an emergency that person would leave and go to the lobby to handle it.

So simple.

If someone lets a beeper or cellphone ring during a live show they should get a 500 dollar fine, and slaps and punches from the surrounding patrons.

It really is insulting to interrupt a performer on stage. Not only to the performer but to the rest of the patrons.

-- Anonymous, December 20, 2002