Policy Addressing Profanity in Print at RS Recreation Facilities Headed Back to Council

Policy Addressing Profanity in Print at RS Recreation Facilities Headed Back to Council
photo from Rock Springs Civic Center

ROCK SPRINGS – A policy to limit “profanity in print” at the Rock Springs Family Recreation Center, Civic Center and Paul J. Wataha Complex is heading back to the Rock Springs City Council.

On Thursday, the Rock Springs Parks and Recreation Board made and approved changes to a proposed policy addressing profanity in print or offensive t-shirts and tattoos which can be seen by the public.

The proposed policy surfaced several months ago after several complaints were made by residents about words they found offensive which could be seen by children. In response, the board drafted a policy and presented it to council.

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At the council level, several concerns were voiced by City Council members about the vagueness of the proposed policy. They thought the policy needed to be more specific and sent it back to the board to look at again.

The issue was brought up again at the Rock Springs Parks and Recreation meeting in August. At that time, the board felt it was better wait and get direction from Rock Springs City Attorney Vince Crow.

On Thursday, Vince Crow addressed the policy by letter. In his letter, Crow provided language to the policy he believed would be the best to move forward with.

His recommendation said “The city of Rock Springs Recreational facilities are intended to provide a safe, non-threatening, family friendly environment for its patrons. Attire, language or other forms of expression that is considered obscene or patently offensive will not be permitted.”

This language was approved by the board and the policy will now go back to the Rock Springs City Council for final approval.

Director of the department Dave Lansang said they will have to train and discuss with staff different case scenarios so employees at the facilities can provide consistency when situations arise.