Smoking in parks does not appear to be a wealth hazard.
Not a single $50 ticket has been written since the ban on lighting up in and on parks, beaches and pedestrian plazas went into effect Monday.
Officials insist the Parks Department’s 125-member enforcement patrol is out in force and is not allowing smokers off easy.
“They’re using their judgment,” a Parks Department spokeswoman said yesterday.
The ban is intended to be largely “self-enforcing,” and consists mostly of small signs and the hope that New Yorkers will correct the bad behavior of others.
But in Washington Square Park, Angelo Santiago, 52, said he doesn’t expect to be chastised by fellow New Yorkers.
“I’ve been smoking all my life and I’ve never seen anyone get into an argument over smoking in a park,” he said.