Utter an expletive and you're breaking the law, right?
That's what signs at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront seem to imply.
And many tourists say they appreciate them.
“I think it`s a good thing, especially when you get all the teenagers different ages here I think it`s a good thing,” says Sheryl Saunders, a tourist.
But while families may like the atmosphere they create, are they actually enforceable by police?
“The signs we`re speaking about down at the Oceanfront, those are courtesy signs to remind people you`re in a friendly, family atmosphere and you know just be careful what you`re saying, yelling out,” says MPO Jimmy Barnes.
So swear when you stub your toe or let out a curse word cruising down the street, you're not going to be charged – it's free speech.
There is, however, a city ordinance that does make cursing illegal. In certain situations, it's also in the Virginia state code.
“If I direct it at a person and I try to incite you to a fight or fighting words then that`s going to be disorderly conduct , or you could be arrested or charged with various other things at that point,” says Barnes.
That includes the law about abusive language which in Virginia Beach, is a class three misdemeanor. Offenders won’t serve any jail time, but it can come with a hefty fine of up to $500.
But when it comes down to it, very few people are charged.
Citations aren't given out very often, in a city with more than 400,000 people and even more tourists, only 25 people were cited in the past year.
