New bylaws in Taber causing controversy
Posted Mar 11, 2015 6:49 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Reaction is pouring in from the small Alberta town of Taber, following the passing of a bylaw prohibiting swearing in public, spitting, and allowing police to force groups of three or more to disperse.
The bylaw was passed earlier this week and some residents are fully on board.
“Swearing and cursing, it goes on all the time. People in this town need to learn manners,” one woman told City News.
However, local lawyers are clamoring to strike down the ruling, including Defense Lawyer Michael Dietrich.
“If you yell at your child because they’re going to cross the street on a red light, you could be guilty of an offence. If you merely shout, if kids are playing, if people are discussing things,” he said.
In fact, some lawyers are offering free services to those penalized under the new bylaw: which includes a $150 ticket for saying a bad word in public.
