Is our Assembly trying to discourage residents from visiting downtown? Are we really going to make smokers criminals, while shootings and thefts continue unabated in other areas of the city? Do we truly want our limited police citing Pokemon players for vaping instead of investigating violent crime or property damages? There are plenty of unenforced laws. As far as a health threat: Get real. Outdoors, air pollution has the particulate density to damage your lungs. Vapes don't.

Pokemon has been the best use of the Park that I have ever seen. Hundreds of people gather without anyone paying to bring them. Food vendors shared that their incomes rose 20% in two weeks. A uniquely diverse community visits with music, information, and gear to have a good, sober time. I have never felt so safe walking downtown or noticed so many historical plaques and memorials.

The last Pokemon event led to a trash clean-up of town square. With parking fees rising, downtown needs all the business it can get.