Government

MA Town Votes to Fine Residents $20 for…Cursing in Public (But Should It?)

Middleboro Bans Profanity & Invokes $20 Fine for Public SwearingThere are certain situations in which cursing and swearing simply aren’t appropriate. But now, in Middleboro, Massachusetts, the act of being foul-mouthed in public will come with a price — literally. In fact, those who accidentally let unpleasant words slip from their mouths will now face a $20 fine for each infraction.

On Monday night, residents overwhelmingly approved the measure at a town meeting, voting 185-50 in favor of stopping intentional cussing. The crackdown on profanity, supporters say, has everything to do with protecting public areas and downtown localities, rather than censoring.

Swearing in public has been illegal under a local bylaw since 1968, but it has been rarely enforced, the Associated Press reports. Because of the nature of the law, the infraction would have been handled in the court system — something that led police officers and others to all but ignore it. The new penalty system essentially decriminalizes profanity, but allows law-enforcement professionals to ticket offenders just as they do traffic violators.

Now, here’s the controversial part: The penalty didn’t pass with explicit details surrounding which words would constitute as a violation. At the meeting, Police Chief Bruce D. Gates reportedly said that the fine will be given out based on the police officers’ discretion. No list of curse words has been drafted.

“I don’t see an issue, we have a lot of things to do. This is not a priority,” Gates said, going on to claim that tickets wouldn’t be issued if someone cursed while watching a sports game or hurled expletives after dropping his or her ice cream.

The Wall Street Journal further highlights Gates’ feelings on the matter of public cussing:

He isn’t targeting ordinary swears, like an understandable expletive uttered after a Red Sox loss. He said he is aiming at offenses like “profane language at some attractive female walking through town.” His officers patrol on bikes and can already give tickets for public drinking, rubbish thrown in streets and more. Cursing is another “quality of life” issue, he said.

The responses so far have been intriguing. Twitchy captured and published a number of the tweets that have been sent surrounding the crackdown. We won’t share them with you because, well, they’re expletive filled. Needless to say, people haven‘t been too positive about the town’s decision thus far. However, some do contend that the cursing has gotten out of control and that intervention was needed.

“The cursing has gotten very, very bad. I find it appalling and I won’t tolerate it,” said Mimi Duphily, a civic leader in the local community. “No person should be allowed to talk in that manner.”

Duphily’s complaints are what kicked off the current crackdown.

What do you think about a ban on public profanity? Let us know, below:


Comments (83)

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  • cykonas
    Posted on June 12, 2012 at 11:55am

    It‘s a local matter and a local law so I don’t have any strong opinion about whether of not they should have done it or not. I would say though that the law is almost sure to be overturned/amended because it’s going to be very difficult to administer absent a specific listing of the offensive words. When you leave it up to the officers themselves to determine what is a cuss word and what isn‘t a cuss word it’s going to be a mess. I‘m very surprised that this town hasn’t anything more important to concern them. Maybe they no longer need any government if this is their most pressing challenge.

    Report Post » cykonas  
    • TheePolitinator
      Posted on June 12, 2012 at 12:09pm

      Lived in MA 41 yrs we decided to leave commie land.

      Report Post » TheePolitinator  
    • AmazingGrace8
      Posted on June 12, 2012 at 12:24pm

      Good post. I can’t help but think about all these laws being placed on citizens and think of the 1953 song by the McGuire Sisters…“Sugar In The Morning”. We oldsters know the song but the youngsters can hear it on You-Tube (the best video is showing gardens etc.). It goes like this: Sugar in the morning, sugar in the evening, sugar at supper time..be my little sugar and love me all the time and a catchy little tune. New York law could be singing this song and now this little town can give this tune a spin on the turntable….Cussing in the morning, cussing in the evening, cussing at supper time….LOL
      And the beat goes on!!!

      Report Post »  
    • Dougral Supports Israel
      Posted on June 12, 2012 at 12:42pm

      I agree, the challenge will be based on the vagueness of the law the same way that the discretionary speed limit in Montana was struck down.

      Report Post »  
    • PPMStudios
      Posted on June 12, 2012 at 2:34pm

      Local matter or local law; Can not trump the First Amendment…..

      Report Post » PPMStudios  
    • Secret Squirrel
      Posted on June 12, 2012 at 3:29pm

      .
      The issue is not about swearing, it’s about the role of government.
      Government is too damn big when they have nothing better to do than
      police language.
      This town needs a budget cut. They have too much money.

      Report Post » Secret Squirrel  
    • hidden_lion
      Posted on June 12, 2012 at 5:35pm

      What about the first amendment don’t people understand? Cursing is protected speech.

      Report Post » hidden_lion  
    • Wolf
      Posted on June 12, 2012 at 6:42pm

      Regardless that it’s a local law, it’s anti-Constitutional and legislating behavior to control people. It’s wrong. I can see encouraging people to mind their manners in public, but to legislate and fine them for it is four steps too far. As for those who want to define which words, they should be the first ones fined.
      Oh, right: My bad… this is Amerika, we legislate thought now, too.
      Screw MS- and they can keep ObaRomney, too.

      Report Post »  
  • theblazerunner
    Posted on June 12, 2012 at 11:55am

    THE PEOPLE RESPONSIBLE FOR CHEMTRAILS EXPOSED HERE!
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lw3eGPFrRkA

    * What Poison is the government spraying in our air? Are Chemtrails for real??
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqJGij_LnUo&feature=related

    G. Edward Griffin talks about new CHEMTRAIL film
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XiG-rKVBI3s&feature=related

    Report Post » theblazerunner  
  • black9897
    Posted on June 12, 2012 at 11:55am

    More free speech being taken away. Who are the 36 morons who voted it was right of them to do this?

    Report Post » black9897  
  • abbygirl1994
    Posted on June 12, 2012 at 11:54am

    I hate profanity.. especially the worst words… but this my friends is another right that someone wants to take away! We all have free agency.. those who wish to take away free agency are nothing more than evil themselves. Next they will charge you for kissing or hugging in public. Think about it!

    Report Post » abbygirl1994  
  • searching for the Truth
    Posted on June 12, 2012 at 11:51am

    Let’s look at this a philosophically – If one votes against, then they are in agreement with swearing. And, considering foul language is lack of communication skills, then if one votes for , they must desire to communicate more effectively. Maybe, they desire more of a sound private, and public sector. After all, foul language soothes the evil spirit, and the better man desires to give evil spirits hell.

    Report Post »  
    • daxawyes
      Posted on June 12, 2012 at 12:09pm

      Who decide what is offensive and what is not? The government? The atheist? The Christians? You are no different from the atheists asking for God to be taken out of society. The individual’s liberty is always of utmost importance!

      Report Post »  
    • weisja4
      Posted on June 12, 2012 at 12:17pm

      Foul language is not poor communication, just a different form of communication. Also, there is a huge difference between supporting something and wanting to ban it. To me this is a 1st amendment issue, plain and simple. Cussing, no matter if you like it or not, is protected free speech. As the saying goes, “I may disagree with what you have to say, but will defend to the death your right to say it”

      Report Post »  
    • searching for the Truth
      Posted on June 12, 2012 at 12:18pm

      I don’t understand you – would you please rephrase that, and be less non- sequitur.

      Report Post »  
  • theblazerunner
    Posted on June 12, 2012 at 11:51am

    holder being grilled on many subjects on cspan

    Report Post » theblazerunner  
    • CatB
      Posted on June 12, 2012 at 11:58am

      Thanks.

      Let‘s hope it isn’t all talk and no action on the Republicans part.

      Report Post »  
  • Keep Your Skepticals On
    Posted on June 12, 2012 at 11:48am

    It is my understanding that the law isn’t against “profanity” in the sense of use of certain words, but targets behavior more along the lines of disorderly conduct – where volume, location and nature of the offender are all taken into consideration, as to wether or not they are disrupting the lives of people around them.

    This isn’t about censorship – it’s about time, place and manner. Say what you want, but harassment is harassment.

    Report Post » Keep Your Skepticals On  
    • Michael Cobb
      Posted on June 12, 2012 at 12:05pm

      So what you‘re saying is you’re ok with local law violating you 1st amendment right to free speech?

      Report Post »  
  • schlepnier
    Posted on June 12, 2012 at 11:44am

    Well lets see they are not fighting words, or words that would cause a public safety emergency (yelling fire in a crowded theatre when ther is no fire), as such-it’s first ammendmant protected free speach. the town can try and pass any such unlawful ordinance it wants, the moment they issue a citation they will get spanked by the courts.

    Report Post » schlepnier  
  • jungle J
    Posted on June 12, 2012 at 11:41am

    human monkees are impossible to train…you must beat them into submissive behavior.

    Report Post »  
  • qpwillie
    Posted on June 12, 2012 at 11:36am

    I think it might be a good idea. Most leftists won’t be able to talk. Most of them use the “F” word in place of punctuation.

    Report Post » qpwillie  
  • MBA
    Posted on June 12, 2012 at 11:34am

    Obviously, the people in government don’t know anything about history and are doomed to repeat it. the great 1930′s experiment proved you cannot legislate morality. Look out MA for the speakeasies for cursers. I picture pointy headed k*nnedy’s smuggling curse words into MA.

    Report Post »  
  • nkawtg
    Posted on June 12, 2012 at 11:34am

    Reminds me of a scene from Demolition Man.
    Go to youtube and enter 5rVQGT01Kzg in the search bar.

    Report Post » nkawtg  
  • SLOWBIDEN
    Posted on June 12, 2012 at 11:34am

    You can get fined for disorderly conduct and go to jail over cursing in Lexington, S.C.

    Report Post »  
  • nkawtg
    Posted on June 12, 2012 at 11:32am

    Reminds me of a scene from Demolition Man
    youtube.com/watch?v=5rVQGT01Kzg

    Report Post » nkawtg  
  • theblazerunner
    Posted on June 12, 2012 at 11:31am

    Johnny Dangerously Roman Maroni (This is Fargin War!!!!).m4v
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLcNdkfPG5M&feature=related

    Roman Moronie’s speech
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dv8tVxk6Nj4&feature=related

    freedom of speech …dead.

    Report Post » theblazerunner  
  • nkawtg
    Posted on June 12, 2012 at 11:31am

    I’m just sayin – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rVQGT01Kzg

    Report Post » nkawtg  
  • lapitup
    Posted on June 12, 2012 at 11:30am

    what was that movie qoute from “Tombestone”? I don‘t think i’ll let you arrest us today? Well I don’t think ill let you fine me today MA.

    Report Post »  
  • hauschild
    Posted on June 12, 2012 at 11:28am

    Regardless of whether one agrees with this law, this is a perfect example of how government should work – keeping it at the “local” level.

    And, if the majority disagree, they can change it during the next election cycle.

    Report Post »  
    • flagkeeper
      Posted on June 12, 2012 at 12:24pm

      You are exactly right. So many make no distinctions betwen federal and state, much less county, city, town, etc. It is also sad that we invoke the Constitution and liberty to defend smut, profanity, and every other kind of filth. Liberty never was licentiousness.

      Report Post » flagkeeper  
  • RamonPreston
    Posted on June 12, 2012 at 11:27am

    More “invisible taxation.” Town needs the money.

    Report Post » RamonPreston  
  • GeorgeWashingtonslept here
    Posted on June 12, 2012 at 11:25am

    Damn…….oops.

    Report Post »  
  • BeingThere
    Posted on June 12, 2012 at 11:23am

    Free speech means free speech!!! And ALL gun laws are unconstitutional!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Report Post » BeingThere  
  • DisgustedinCT
    Posted on June 12, 2012 at 11:22am

    Okay, let’s have a swear in.

    I can see it now, marching down the street “F’ing this, F’ing that“ calling out to people ”Hey you Ba’terds, what the h’ll is up?”

    I’m just kidding but it just goes to show what a decline in moral behavior gets you.

    Take God out of the picture and put government in his place and there you go.

    Report Post » DisgustedinCT  
  • Nemo13
    Posted on June 12, 2012 at 11:20am

    Sticks and stones Middleboro, sticks and stones… Words don’t hurt people, but stupid laws sure do.

    Report Post »  
  • Proclaimer2
    Posted on June 12, 2012 at 11:16am

    While excessive swearing can be offensive, who draws the line at what is or is not acceptable? Yet another reason to avoid the nanny-state New England area.

    Report Post »  
  • randy
    Posted on June 12, 2012 at 11:11am

    @#$#$ Idiots, Where the #$%^ do these !@#&(#@! come up with stupid @#$ laws like these?

    Ok, where do I send my #$%^*^$ 80 Dollars?

    Report Post » randy  
    • AzSage
      Posted on June 12, 2012 at 11:18am

      WTF? OMFG. THW Middleboro.

      Report Post » AzSage  
    • Popp40
      Posted on June 12, 2012 at 11:40am

      @ Randy…that was funny as h@ll…d@mn now I would owe them $40 dollars….man that is a good way for the goverment to make money….so when will this go Nation wide?

      Report Post »  
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