A Michigan Suburb Will Fine You For Swearing

A Michigan suburb is issuing tickets to people who swear near certain public areas in a crackdown on disorderly conduct.

Brighton Police Chief Tom Wightman told the Livingston County Daily Press & Argus that while the city doesn’t outlaw any particular words, police are “going to be watching” for misbehaving teenagers hanging out downtown, which he calls an “ongoing issue.”

One 19-year-old said he was fined $200 for swearing near a playground. After his friend was ticketed for skateboarding in downtown Brighton, Colin Andersen said, “This is f—ing bulls–t.” Though he claims no children heard him swear under his breath, a police officer who did hear gave Andersen a ticket for disorderly conduct.

“What got me to start arguing a little bit, they were asking all of us to leave because he got a ticket,” Andersen, who unsuccessfully tried to fight the ticket, told the newspaper. “That’s not fair. We’re just standing around.”

[Livingston Daily]