Saggy pants could soon be a crime in all of Florida, and the legislation for the ban is being welcomed with open arms.
The city of Opa-Locka, Florida was the first city to ban saggy pants.
Daytona Beach, Florida doesn’t have a ban – as of yet- on saggy pants, however, they were one of the first cities in Florida to ban “thongs” being worn in public.
City officials from, Opa-Locka, Lynwood, West Palm Beach, and Cocoa Beach, Florida say they are fed up with the saggy pants culture. They say it’s disgraceful and it is teaching the much younger children that it’s OK to walk around with their underwear hanging out.
An official with the Black Mental Health Alliance out of Massachusetts said, “My children and I visited a theme park in Florida and we were disgusted. My children were subjected to a lot of indecency involving saggy pants. Some were young girls and others were young men, two of which were not wearing underwear….exposing their ‘cracks’.”
He said, youth today should have more respect for themselves, especially girls. He added, it is no secret that this type of culture is linked to drugs, gangs and other criminal activity. Our misguided youth call it “Profiling,” while I call it statistical fact. And it is a gross misconception that the “Saggy Pants” culture is just a “black thing.” Additionally, he said, the “Penguin” walk also causes hip and other joint problems.
Other states such as Alabama, Georgia, New York, Louisiana, Texas, Tennessee, Mississippi, New Jersey, Illinois, Michigan, Massachusetts and Boston also have cities where saggy pants have been ban.
The fine for wearing saggy pants that show a person’s “crack” or underwear range from $25.00 to $500.00, depending on where you are, for first time offenders. Habitual offenders could actually be arrested and charged with indecent exposure.
Officials say the law is not just limited to “saggy pants” per-say, but also to those that wear “skinny jeans” far below the waist line. Officials say men that wear “skinny jeans” below the waist line tend to show more of an “inappropriate area” than women do.
In Wildwood, New Jersey saggy pants have been ban on the boardwalk. And the ordinance doesn’t just apply to saggy pants; it also applies to women that walk around it cut up jeans, skinny jeans that do not fit (revealing “crack”) or bathing suits that practically leave nothing to the imagination. While most men consider women that wear pants that show their “crack” sexy, residents say they are sick and tired of the young youth literally showing their a**es.
Sondra, a long time resident of New Jersey said, “They do make a good point. After all, not everyone on the beach/boardwalk will have a beautiful body type. How would you like to stare at muffin tops and plumber cracks while trying to enjoy your day off?”
New Jersey Mayor Ernest Troiano said, “Some visitors (who I imagine to be old and still upset about Elvis’ hip thrusts) have complained about looking at people’s rear ends ‘hanging out’ while walking the boardwalk.”
Local New Jersey Pizzeria, Guilio’s Pizza has also put a sign in their window regarding sagging pants.
Multiple McDonalds locations in Texas have also ban saggy pants from being worn in their establishments. Most have posted signs in their windows.
Ocala Post reached out to McDonalds Corporate to inquire about the policy:
They told Ocala Post that corporate does not have any comment, but said, “Owner-operated franchises can customize the experience for their customers as they deem necessary.”
The health department said, “It’s a health issue. Why would you want to touch a counter or sit in a seat where someone else’s underwear or “crack” has been?”
One customer that was denied service at a Houston , Texas restaurant tried to sue the establishment, but lost. The Houston judge said indecent exposure is not a new law, and saggy pants that show a persons butt or underwear is not protected under Freedom of Speech or Freedom of Expression. It is simply disrespectful he said.
Many officials across multiple states do agree on one thing; criminals that wear saggy pants and try to run from a crime scene often trip and fall, getting themselves caught.
An Orlando, Florida robbery was foiled after Anthony Garcia, 31, tripped over his baggy pants as he was attempting to flee after snatching a cash drawer from a church gift shop. Orlando Police said it made their job a lot easier.
In Columbus, Ohio an armed bank robber was caught after his saggy pants caused him trip and fall on the dye pack, setting it off. Security footage showed the robber dropping the money bag and fleeing the scene waddling like a penguin. He was later caught with his pants down, literally. Columbus Police said saggy pants are a criminals “kryptonite.”
Billboards are beginning to pop up in cities across the U.S in an attempt to promote the saggy pants ban.
However not everyone is in support of the ban. The NAACP says the ban targets the black community and hinders their development.
Eric Adams, a black senator from New York said he is tired of the NAACP making everything about race. He said the ban is about instilling moral principles into our children, children of all races.
Adams said, “I am fed up with today’s youth walking around with “low slung” or saggy pants that exposes their underwear and often time their butt crack. It is offensive and represents a serious lack of respect from our youth today.” Adams said that today’s youth needs to realize that the trend of wearing saggy pants originated from inside prisons in the late 80’s early 90’s. Adding, “I hope one day there will be a nationwide ban on saggy pants.”
Senator Adams is responsible for at least three billboards in New York aimed at educating the public on the saggy pants ban.
Officials in Opa-Locka, Florida say the ban is working, and although there have been at least 72 citations issued since November of 2013, the community is showing great support in the ban.
In November of 2013, the saggy pants ban was also rewritten to specifically include women as well as men. The fine was also set at a solid $500 and/or 25 hours of community service.
Ocala Post reached out to Marion County officials via e-mail to inquire if a similar ban would be imposed in Marion County, or if they support the legislation, but our e-mail went unanswered.
We want to hear from you. What are your thoughts on banning saggy pants?
[Updated on May 8, 2014 at 5:36 p.m.]
Marion County, Florida– City of Ocala Council woman Mary Rich announced that she wants an ordinance put in place that will ban saggy pants. She said she as well as other citizens in Marion County do not like seeing young men and women walking around with their buttocks exposed.
“I have seen them do it in front of old people. I don’t consider myself old — maybe a little past middle age. They don’t have any respect for anybody when they do that,” she said. “It’s disgusting when you see them with their pants all down around their knees almost.”
Marion County schools already has a policy banning saggy pants. If it is passed as an ordinance, violators in Marion County could face fines.
No decision has been made on whether or not it will be put to a vote.
If you support the ban on saggy pants, you can show that support by e-mailing Mary Rich at mrich@ocalafl.org or John McLeod at jmcleod@ocalafl.org .
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