WASHINGTON - SEPTEMBER 21 : Metropolitan Police Officer Tyrone Gross (L) writes a warning ticket to a motorist who was talking on her cell phone while Officer J.D. Hansohn (R) looks for other offenders on September 21, 2010 in Washington, DC. Police were giving warnings and tickets to people who were talking on cell phones while driving past a hotel where the 2010 Distracted Driving Summit was being held. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)(Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)
ALRINGTON, Va. — “Cursing like a sailor” in public has become a fineable offense in Arlington County, and that fine just got a big increase.
The Arlington County Board upped the fine for cursing in public and public intoxication to $250 — up from $100.
Barry Cutter, a free-speech advocate, says a lot of this type of legislation is aimed at keeping children from hearing bad words even though it might not be necessary.
“There is absolutely no linkage between use of language and any psychological effect on children,” Cutter says.
WNEW’s Jim MacKay contributed to this report. Follow him and WNEW on Twitter.