Young Man in a Neighborhood Called Dinkytown Was Fined $115 for Walking Down the Street and Doing Something Most of Us Do Every Day

Pizza and hangout time with his pals were primary on Myles Thomas' mind as the group trudged down a street earlier this week in Dinkytown, a Minneapolis neighborhood near the University of Minnesota.

Miles Thomas was fined $115 for spitting. (Image source: KARE-TV)

Thomas, 21, said he was getting over an illness and did something that more than a few people in his situation do (and, yes, even when they're not sick):

He spit.

Police caught Thomas red-handed (and probably red-faced), cited him for the misdemeanor — and gave him the really bad news. According to a city ordinance, spitting on sidewalks, buses, or public areas carries a $115 fine, KARE-TV in Minneapolis reported.

The other twin city, St. Paul, has a similar law on the books, KARE noted, adding that another ordinance warns that spitting on the floor or furnishing of a boat, canoe, building or walkway also costs offenders $115.

"I actually was shocked," Thomas told KARE. "I was just like 'wow.'"

"It's a little wacky," he added. "I mean, what can you do though? It is a law. You're supposed to obey the laws of the land."

Thomas noted that he'll pay the fine and next time will remember to "bring a bag or something and spit in a bag."

Here's a report from KARE:

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