Mind Your Manners: Ocean City To Post 'No Profanity' Signs

OCEAN CITY, Md. (WJZ) -- Flushing out foul language. Maryland's most popular beach town bans bad words. When you go to Ocean City this summer, you'll see the signs up and down the boardwalk.

Christie Ileto has more on the city's effort to clean up its act.

Watch your words the next time you head to Ocean City. Signs reading "No profanity, please" will soon be posted on every block of the Boardwalk. The measure was approved by the town council this week.

"It's just a gentle reminder but we want our visitors and especially our families to know that Ocean City cares," said Council Secretary Mary Knight.

Business owners can post the blue and white signs in their windows.

"I run the water gun up on the boardwalk and sometimes people use profanity and I always say, `Watch your mouth; there's children here,'" said one business owner.

So what happens if you accidentally swear? There's no citation because Ocean City can't legally outlaw profanity. But if you're loud or make a scene while using colorful language, you could get slapped with disorderly conduct.

A recent study showed Maryland is the second most foul mouthed state in the country---but the new signs send a different message.

Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan wrote on Facebook, "Our family image is very important to us and we think people will feel that when they see our new signs."

There are similar signs in Virginia Beach but under their law, you can be fined for using such colorful language.

Other Local News: