Police Log: Deemed "White Trash" For Smoking

On Friday, Aug. 13, at a minute before 7 p.m., a woman called Belmont Police to report a case of harassment against her that was taking place at the Grove Street Playground. The caller said that she had taken her child to the playground and while he played, she sat at a nearby bench and began smoking a cigarette.

A short time later, two people came up and "confronted" her, saying that smoking was prohibited in town parks. She told them she disagreed, that smoking was not allowed only on school grounds, and continued.

The clash of opinions quickly escalated when the confrontational pair told the parent she should not be allowed to be with children, adding that she was "white trash" and obviously did not "live in town." At this point, one of the pair began taking photos of the woman's son. The parent said she wanted police to document their actions if they made statements and sent photos to the state's child welfare department.

Note: While many in and out of town government and public safety are unclear with Belmont's smoking policy, a call to the town's Recreation Department made clear that the parent involved in the incident was in the right: there is no current bylaw or policy against lighting up in Belmont parks and playgrounds with the exception of those located at a school.