The small Alberta community of Hanna is taking on bullies — and not just those who use their fists.

The town, 210 kilometres northeast of Calgary, passed a new anti-bullying bylaw prohibiting insults and name-calling.

The town is sending the message that bullying won't be tolerated, said Mayor Mark Nikota.

"We're certainly not here to be the thought police or take freedom of speech out, but to me abusive language and stuff that leads to bullying has never been freedom of speech or shouldn't hide behind freedom of speech," he said.

Town council adopted the measure after being approached by the RCMP.

"If there's a situation that is escalating out of control, we are hoping rather than just being able to talk to someone that the RCMP can use this mechanism to nip it in the bud before it becomes a physical or violent situation," Nikota said.

RCMP Const. Jennifer Brewer proposed the bylaw after failing to resolve a number of confrontations last year that escalated from verbal exchanges to physical violence after various intervention tactics such as mediation failed.

Brewer began researching other Alberta municipalities who tried out similar bylaws such as Consort and Rocky Mountain House.

She emphasizes people simply being rude or vulgar with each other could not be fined under the bylaw.

"Bullying is harassment on a continuing basis," she said.

The fine for the first offence is $250 and could jump to $1,000 for subsequent offences.