Massachusetts town approves $20 fine for swearing in public?

by ~ The Rebel ~ Posted 2012/06/13 14:35:38

Related Topics: Auto, Police, Customers, England, Teens, London, UK, Teen, Swearing, Language, Massachusetts, Profanity, Parks, Restriction

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Oh fudge! The residents of Middleborough voted 183-50 at a town meeting Monday to approve the chief of police’s proposal to enforce a $20 fine on public potty-mouths. The move has attracted attention from as far away as England, whose leaders were certainly the targets of more than a few Massachusetts swear words a few centuries ago.

“Officials insist the proposal was not intended to censor casual or private conversations,” The Telegraph reported in London, “but instead to crack down on loud, profanity-laden language used by teens and other young people in the downtown area and public parks.”

Those who opted for the restriction on language, like Mimi Duphily, the owner of an auto-parts store and former town selectwoman, say the new rule was needed in order to make sure her customers weren’t uncomfortable.

American☆Atheist 2012/06/13 16:45:34

+1
I am actually shocked, this stuff happens down south

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Max 2012/06/13 15:46:26

+1
WTF! Oops… Anyway, I would expect this sort of thing from New York City but perhaps it spreading to other cities. I think they're getting carried away.

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Dave0626 2012/06/13 14:56:57

+1
Wow, is this really a major issue in Middleborough? Is the cussing level so loud and bad they need to dole out $20 fines?! Sounds more like City Hall lookin to make a few extra bucks ...Will it be $20 per cuss word or just per person? What's next? ...Maybe a $10 fine for flipping the bird? ....

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sglmom 2012/06/13 14:46:26

+1
Well then ..
looks like perhaps the kiddies are going to have to 'clean it up'
(language wise)
around their town ..
perhaps might be a good thing
since MANNERS seems to be a lost art ...

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Icarus 2012/06/13 14:39:35

+2
Strange, as the police here in England already have the power to arrest people for swearing - Disorderly Conduct, or something like that. It's not exactly a new idea.

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