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Georgia town to residents: Uphold the law -- uphold your pants
Georgia town to residents: Uphold the law -- uphold your pantsFrom Dina Majoli, CNNSeptember 6, 2010 5:12 a.m. EDT
Dublin Mayor Phil Best plans to sign the amendment to the indecent exposure ordinance this week.STORY HIGHLIGHTS
The mayor of Dublin, Georgia, plans to sign an amendment to an indecent exposure ordinance
The law would bar the wearing of low pants or skirts "exposing the skin or undergarments"
Dublin residents are divided on the new law
Violators, meanwhile, could be fined up to $200
(CNN) -- The town of Dublin, Georgia, is putting saggy, baggy pants in the category of indecent exposure, with violators facing fines of up to $200.
Dublin Mayor Phil Best said he plans to sign this week an amendment to the municipality's indecent exposure ordinance. The amendment, which Best plans to put into immediate effect at the City Council meeting, prohibits the wearing of pants or skirts "more than three inches below the top of the hips exposing the skin or undergarments."
"We've gotten several complaints from citizens saying the folks with britches down below their buttocks was offensive, and wasn't there something we could do about it," Best said.
The mayor said after about a year of fielding complaints, he put the city attorney to work researching how other localities have dealt with the derriere dilemma. The result was that council members decided to put exposure due to baggy clothing in the same category as masturbation, fornication and urination in public places.
Video: Saggy pants ruling in Georgia RELATED TOPICS
Georgia
Law
American Idol
Patrolling for offenders will be left to local police in the town about 140 miles southeast of Atlanta. Violators could face fines ranging from $25 to $200, or court-mandated community service.
"That's not our intent, we'd (rather) not fine anybody but we are prepared to," Best said.
Dublin residents are divided on the issue.
Lashika Haynes supports the push to force folks to pull up, "It's just disrespectful by showing your drawers to people," she said.
But there are those who feel that the ordinance singles out a specific group of citizens.
Jean Wolf, who volunteers with young black men in the community said, "They're the ones wearing the saggy, baggy pants."
Wolf said she believes the ordinance will lead to profiling by authorities.
Mayor Best said that accusation is "ridiculous."
"It's for white, black, man, woman. The ordinance is for everyone, and I've seen it violated by all races and sexes," Best said.
Dublin is not alone in its pull-up-the-pants campaign. Riviera Beach, Florida, and Flint, Michigan, passed bans against sagging pants in recent years, but the Riviera Beach legislation later was declared unconstitutional after a court challenge.
In the non-judicial realm, a state senator in Brooklyn, New York, announced plans earlier this year for a series of billboards featuring young men wearing low-hanging pants and the catchphrase, "Raise your pants, raise your image."
And up the road from Dublin, 62-year-old Atlantan "General" Larry Platt made it all the way to "American Idol" and became an online one-hit wonder with his song "Pants on the Ground." (Sample lyrics: "Pants on the ground, pants on the ground/looking like a fool with your pants on the ground.")
It is not lost on the mayor and the City Council in Dublin that this ordinance opens the door to what could be a pretty tricky debate over what is indecent exposure. For instance, how much is too much cleavage, and are certain tattoos indecent? The mayor seems to welcome the discussion as a natural part of the law-making process.
"I don't know a law or ordinance that doesn't stand scrutiny by the people and the court system. So time will tell. There have been plenty of laws that have gone all the way to Supreme Court," Best said.
According to the mayor, the local high school already enforces a strict dress code which puts a tight belt around students and their saggy pants, sending violators home for the day.
"It's time we all have a mutual respect for each other ... what a person does in the privacy of their home is fine," Best said. "But if I had an 8-year-old daughter, I don't think she needs to be subjected to looking at someone's rear end."
Dublin Mayor Phil Best plans to sign the amendment to the indecent exposure ordinance this week.STORY HIGHLIGHTS
The mayor of Dublin, Georgia, plans to sign an amendment to an indecent exposure ordinance
The law would bar the wearing of low pants or skirts "exposing the skin or undergarments"
Dublin residents are divided on the new law
Violators, meanwhile, could be fined up to $200
(CNN) -- The town of Dublin, Georgia, is putting saggy, baggy pants in the category of indecent exposure, with violators facing fines of up to $200.
Dublin Mayor Phil Best said he plans to sign this week an amendment to the municipality's indecent exposure ordinance. The amendment, which Best plans to put into immediate effect at the City Council meeting, prohibits the wearing of pants or skirts "more than three inches below the top of the hips exposing the skin or undergarments."
"We've gotten several complaints from citizens saying the folks with britches down below their buttocks was offensive, and wasn't there something we could do about it," Best said.
The mayor said after about a year of fielding complaints, he put the city attorney to work researching how other localities have dealt with the derriere dilemma. The result was that council members decided to put exposure due to baggy clothing in the same category as masturbation, fornication and urination in public places.
Video: Saggy pants ruling in Georgia RELATED TOPICS
Georgia
Law
American Idol
Patrolling for offenders will be left to local police in the town about 140 miles southeast of Atlanta. Violators could face fines ranging from $25 to $200, or court-mandated community service.
"That's not our intent, we'd (rather) not fine anybody but we are prepared to," Best said.
Dublin residents are divided on the issue.
Lashika Haynes supports the push to force folks to pull up, "It's just disrespectful by showing your drawers to people," she said.
But there are those who feel that the ordinance singles out a specific group of citizens.
Jean Wolf, who volunteers with young black men in the community said, "They're the ones wearing the saggy, baggy pants."
Wolf said she believes the ordinance will lead to profiling by authorities.
Mayor Best said that accusation is "ridiculous."
"It's for white, black, man, woman. The ordinance is for everyone, and I've seen it violated by all races and sexes," Best said.
Dublin is not alone in its pull-up-the-pants campaign. Riviera Beach, Florida, and Flint, Michigan, passed bans against sagging pants in recent years, but the Riviera Beach legislation later was declared unconstitutional after a court challenge.
In the non-judicial realm, a state senator in Brooklyn, New York, announced plans earlier this year for a series of billboards featuring young men wearing low-hanging pants and the catchphrase, "Raise your pants, raise your image."
And up the road from Dublin, 62-year-old Atlantan "General" Larry Platt made it all the way to "American Idol" and became an online one-hit wonder with his song "Pants on the Ground." (Sample lyrics: "Pants on the ground, pants on the ground/looking like a fool with your pants on the ground.")
It is not lost on the mayor and the City Council in Dublin that this ordinance opens the door to what could be a pretty tricky debate over what is indecent exposure. For instance, how much is too much cleavage, and are certain tattoos indecent? The mayor seems to welcome the discussion as a natural part of the law-making process.
"I don't know a law or ordinance that doesn't stand scrutiny by the people and the court system. So time will tell. There have been plenty of laws that have gone all the way to Supreme Court," Best said.
According to the mayor, the local high school already enforces a strict dress code which puts a tight belt around students and their saggy pants, sending violators home for the day.
"It's time we all have a mutual respect for each other ... what a person does in the privacy of their home is fine," Best said. "But if I had an 8-year-old daughter, I don't think she needs to be subjected to looking at someone's rear end."
My daughter is 14. She dresses decently and quite modest compared to other girls in High School. While the other girls are out showing off cleavage and buttcheeks she is at home. She doesn't always like our rules but it does give her an easy out when she doesn't feel some behavior isn't appropriately. She can simply say my parents won't allow that. As far as dating we have talked about it and told her under some circumstances she may be allowed to start dating. First thing is we need to meet the boy. She's been asked out but when she says her parents need to meet him they have all chickened out so far.
I am already getting teased because I am planning on teaching Ryder manners when it comes to dating. Old fashioned stuff, and I am sure by the time he is dating it will be ancient..lol. But I want him to always make sure his date gets home safely, to respect her, meet her parents, get her home on time, etc. etc. So many tell me those days are gone...but I don't think they have to be. My son will grow up respecting women if it kills me!!! Honestly, I do think it would be easier if he just stayed a baby..lol. Once again,I need to find the route to NeverNeverLand...little boys never grow up there!!!
I hear ya!!! My oldest is now 14 and I'm constantly on her...that's too short, too tight, etc. and she actually is a very modest dresser, especially compared to some of the other kids. Puberty his her hard and fast...At 12 she was wearing a training bra..she is now transitioning to a "D" cup so finding clothes to fit her that don't accentuate her assets is hard.
She started high school this year and the first week she had a boy ask her to go to the movies...alone...like a date. I was like "uhm NO, you won't be dating alone til your 90" lol
I honestly dont' see HOW parents can let their children out of the house in some of the things they do. I look at these other kids and think there is no way in h-ell I would let my child dress that way.
I even get on to DS5 becuase he likes to wear collared shirts with undershirts but towards the end of the day he gets hot and will take the collared shirt off while at school and just wear the undershirt. I keep having to explain to him that it's not appropriate. I finally had to stop letting him wear undershits for now so he won't do that.
She started high school this year and the first week she had a boy ask her to go to the movies...alone...like a date. I was like "uhm NO, you won't be dating alone til your 90" lol
I honestly dont' see HOW parents can let their children out of the house in some of the things they do. I look at these other kids and think there is no way in h-ell I would let my child dress that way.
I even get on to DS5 becuase he likes to wear collared shirts with undershirts but towards the end of the day he gets hot and will take the collared shirt off while at school and just wear the undershirt. I keep having to explain to him that it's not appropriate. I finally had to stop letting him wear undershits for now so he won't do that.
My parents had their problems, but let me tell you, they were so strict about how I dressed and presented myself. They were like you Teko...no tattoos, piercings, I was hardly allowed to wear any makeup (it had to be discreet), nothing hanging out or exposed, heck I wasn't even allowed to wear the color black..they said it was innapropriate on young women! It used to make me mad, but I am grateful now.
Losingmymind and Ash, I agree, tuck in those boobs and butt cheeks! Sometimes I wonder if these young people get dressed in the dark or don't own a mirror..lol.
Oh, I am so afraid...imagine what they will be doing in 14 years when Ryder is a teen! Yikes!!
Losingmymind and Ash, I agree, tuck in those boobs and butt cheeks! Sometimes I wonder if these young people get dressed in the dark or don't own a mirror..lol.
Oh, I am so afraid...imagine what they will be doing in 14 years when Ryder is a teen! Yikes!!
Amanda-- that video STILL cracks me up...pants on the ground...you're lookin' like a fool with your PANTS on the GROUND!
Anyway... I think that if anything is showing that should be covered by underwear there's a serious problem...and likewise, if your pants aren't reasonably worn to cover your underwear...another problem.
Although I read that they think that this law targets "one type of person....one race group...one age group" but that's funny because every time I think of sagging pants I think of this girl (little blonde white girl) that sat in front of me in my philosophy class in college my sophomore year....EVERY DAY her buttcrack was hanging out. I'm fairly sure she didn't wear underwear...and every day I would debate telling her but I kept thinking "she has to know...she has to feel the breeze..."
I would like to see more laws for this...personally.
I won't let my daughter dress like a hoochie no matter what the other kids were doing. there's still something to the old adage that "what isn't shown makes you mysterious and desirable" for women and "basic decency" for men.
Anyway... I think that if anything is showing that should be covered by underwear there's a serious problem...and likewise, if your pants aren't reasonably worn to cover your underwear...another problem.
Although I read that they think that this law targets "one type of person....one race group...one age group" but that's funny because every time I think of sagging pants I think of this girl (little blonde white girl) that sat in front of me in my philosophy class in college my sophomore year....EVERY DAY her buttcrack was hanging out. I'm fairly sure she didn't wear underwear...and every day I would debate telling her but I kept thinking "she has to know...she has to feel the breeze..."
I would like to see more laws for this...personally.
I won't let my daughter dress like a hoochie no matter what the other kids were doing. there's still something to the old adage that "what isn't shown makes you mysterious and desirable" for women and "basic decency" for men.
We recently had a case of a young black male (17 yo) wearing baggy pants and had concealed a handgun inside them. He had it tied inside his pants so it wouldn't be found on a pat down search. He had this at a high school football game. I think this is one of the reasons the city council pushed this through.
LMAO...it's so funny you posted this becuase this is where I live!!!
I don't like the baggy pants but I also don't like the women who walk around with their boobs and butt cheeks hanging out either....what about them?
Chances are these lazy cops won't enforce it. Hell they won't even enforce the carseat laws!
I don't like the baggy pants but I also don't like the women who walk around with their boobs and butt cheeks hanging out either....what about them?
Chances are these lazy cops won't enforce it. Hell they won't even enforce the carseat laws!
I never cared what the other kids were doing. I had my limits. Skirts to a certain length, no cleavage from either gender, and let them know that free expression only goes so far. No piercings, tattoos, notta! Nope, when they are paying their own way, they are free to express themselves in any fashion they wanted but not in my house. I remember when my daughter was dating this guy and she came home with what looked like a dog collar around her neck and it had a chain attached. I looked at her and said what is that? She said it was what all the kids were doing! I went off like a bottle rocket! Then they decided they had to have the thong! And the low hipster pants with the thong! Have you ever sat in a restaurant behind someone wearing a thong and low pants? No, Not under my roof! I have no problem with other people and how they raise their children, but me, old school that I am, no room for negotiation! lol
Very true Brice. With all the horrid things out there that kids can get involved in I guess this is not such a big deal. But it drives me bonkers!! I can only wonder what they will be doing by the time my son is a teenager. I am glad I have a long time to go before that...lot's of time to prepare...lol.
That is a trend I cannot stand! And I guess this is someones way at getting back at me, but my youngest son is what they call a "Skittle Thug". He wears the brightest colored stuff, but then baggy pants..... I look at it this way. My kid is a bright young man, gets good grades, and is never in trouble. He is a boy scout (when he can pick his damn pants up) and lives pretty close to the scout motto. He is polite, has honor, integrity, and is honest as the day is long. This is his sense of style, and if this is the only thing he is doing that drives me up the wall, I should be greatful.
On the other hand.... I was raised old school. Pants are up around the waist, shirt is tucked in, gig line is straight (belt buckle lined up with the fly on your pants) and my hair is short and in order. I have threatened that when I see my kid with his pants around his waist, that I am going to make him take them off and hang out in his underwear. If he gets hauled in to the pokey, so be it. (Chances are that I'd get hauled in if I made this happen)
I cant stand this style/fad and hope it would pass before my kids would catch on. It didnt. Even though my kid looks a bit like a jack @$$, he is still a good kid and I need to remember to judge people by their character and not theri appearance. (But first impressions seem to stick with me.....oh well)
On the other hand.... I was raised old school. Pants are up around the waist, shirt is tucked in, gig line is straight (belt buckle lined up with the fly on your pants) and my hair is short and in order. I have threatened that when I see my kid with his pants around his waist, that I am going to make him take them off and hang out in his underwear. If he gets hauled in to the pokey, so be it. (Chances are that I'd get hauled in if I made this happen)
I cant stand this style/fad and hope it would pass before my kids would catch on. It didnt. Even though my kid looks a bit like a jack @$$, he is still a good kid and I need to remember to judge people by their character and not theri appearance. (But first impressions seem to stick with me.....oh well)
That is funny. I guess you saw the video of this guy! My kids tried to download it to my husband's blackberry hoping it would go off in the middle of a business meeting but they got caught. He was mad but I couldn't quit laughing.
I cannot stand seeing these young men's underwear!! And it's not just the black kids doing it. They're all trying to get away with it. I say HURRAY for this town!!
I cannot stand seeing these young men's underwear!! And it's not just the black kids doing it. They're all trying to get away with it. I say HURRAY for this town!!
I read this and what starts going through my head..."Pant's on the Ground, pant's on the ground"...lol.
That being said, I do wish schools and parents would start enforcing a bit of a dress code with children. Our young girls need to learn that exposing more skin is not attractive..and our young men...they need to pull their pants up!!!
That being said, I do wish schools and parents would start enforcing a bit of a dress code with children. Our young girls need to learn that exposing more skin is not attractive..and our young men...they need to pull their pants up!!!
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