OGDEN — You’d better watch your mouth at city parks and recreational events — the use of profane language could soon be against the law. Ogden’s Recreation Division is requesting that a disorderly conduct provision be added to the Ogden City Municipal Code and be enforced at any city-sponsored recreational event and any city-owned park, playground or other recreational facility.
The provision would broaden the definition of disorderly conduct to include the use of abusive, profane or indecent language. Any threatening behavior and the encouragement of fighting is also defined as inappropriate conduct under the provision.
The proposed ordinance calls for a warning to first be given to offenders, but any subsequent violations could result in a class C misdemeanor.
City Public Services Director Jay Lowder said the proposal is intended to promote good sportsmanship and encourage proper behavior by tying a penalty to the outlined misbehavior.
Lowder said the provision will ensure safety at city parks and events, help maintain crowd control and promote a positive atmosphere where citizens, athletes, volunteers and employees want to participate and work.
Lowder said the city has already seen disruptions at both youth and adult recreational events because of violence or misbehavior in the past.
“Due to the competitive nature of the participants, spectators and parents, (violence or misbehavior) is always a possibility,” Lowder said.
Lowder said that, as happens in many competitive events, participants at Ogden city events can become upset at officials or opponents, and parents can become protective and competitive on behalf of their kids.
“Emotions can run high,” he said.
The city already has the means to address physical violence through a “mutual combat” ordinance that had previously been passed by the city council, but that ordinance covers only physical behavior, not verbal insults, or foul or profane language, which often precedes physical violence.
“(The proposal) provides an additional enforcement tool,” Lowder said.
The council will vote on the ordinance at an upcoming council meeting. If it passes, the city will place new signs, alerting people of the law at select city facilities.
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