Middleboro passes public profanity bylaw

MIDDLEBORO, Mass. (WHDH) -- The town of Middleboro voted overwhelmingly to impose a $20 fine for swearing in public Monday night.

"They'll sit on the bench and yell back and forth to each other with the foulest language. It's just so inappropriate," said Mimi Duphily, a store owner and former town selectwoman.

Mimi Duphily, who hangs flower baskets as part of the beautification of Middleboro, wants the young people in town to clean up their language.

She, along with the Business Association and police chief asked nearly 300 people at the annual town meeting to pass an ordinance to fine filthy language with a $20 ticket.

The idea got a mix of choice words.

“This comes under the context of trying to legislate morality or good parenting,” said Adam Bond, a resident.

“I don't think anyone in this room’s mom or spouse should be subjected to that language going downtown or anywhere else,” one man said.

Police say public profanity will be treated like public drinking or littering -- a nuisance they'll ticket -- but not something they're targeting.

“It's not going to be just someone walking down street dropping the f-bomb, it's going to be when you're actually making it uncomfortable for everyone else,” Duphily said.

So mind your Ps and Qs in Middleboro, because your aggressive words could cost you.

The police chief said if given a ticket for public profanity, one has the right to appeal.