News

A push to ban cursing in Florida beach community

May 16, 2014

On Independence Day last year, the air around town was filled with belligerent profanity. Still, it—expletives, swear words, obscenities or whatever you want to call them—is heard in the community.
"There's no place for that kind of stuff in a public forum," beach-goer Ken Meadows said.

"I work with people a lot, so I kind of just ignore it when it's unpleasant," Kristen Nye said. "Just keep walking."

Neptune Beach Police Chief David Sembach agrees. As a result, he is pushing for several new ordinances, including obstructing public passage ways and public profanity. If the words lead to a fight and an officer witnesses it, citations can be given.

"They can curse all they want," Sembach explained. "That's what the U.S. Supreme Court says. They just can incite another person to violence."

As expected, some locals don't like the idea; they think Freedom of Speech should always reign supreme.

"It's a waste of time and taxpayer money to try and do something like that," Edward Spear said.

The proposal is still in the infancy stage. In order for anything to officially get on the books, City Council will have to approve it. It will be discussed at the next workshop on May 19.

The Mayor of Neptune Beach said she does not support the profanity ordinance and believes it would be hard to enforce.

More Stories