Luverne Council considers saggy pants ordinance

Published 1:05 pm Thursday, January 15, 2015

Luverne City Council discussed the possibility of passing an ordinance that would prohibit people from sagging their pants in public places.

The subject was introduced by a concerned citizen last October, but put on the backburner while Mayor Joe Rex Sport researched similar ordinances in other municipalities. Saggy pants came up again at Monday’s meeting.

“Where are we with the saggy pants law?” asked Councilman (district 4) Randall Parker.

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Sport said he had asked around, but only received one sample ordinance and was waiting for more responses before presenting a draft to the council.

“We’ll try to put one together by the next meeting,” he said.

Sport said wearing pants that sagged was a ridiculous custom and he would like to see a new law go against it.

Councilman S.P. Walker (district 5) said he was not in favor of passing an ordinance.

“First of all, you are going to put something on police that is difficult to enforce,” he said.

Walker also worried that such a law would profile a small group of residents. He argued that there were no similar ordinances against other articles of clothing.

“I could walk down the street in a Speedo. That would not be very attractive,” Walker said. “It would open a can of worms that I don’t want to get into.”

Councilman Charlie Johnson said Walker had a point.

“Do we want to bite that bullet?” he asked.

Councilman Jerry Sipper suggested the council pass an ordinance that would enforce Alabama’s law against public lewdness.

The subject was tabled until the council’s next meeting.