Shreveport Police Dept.

Date: Sep 12, 2007

Phone: 318/673-6932 Fax: 318/673-6933

Contact: Kacee Hargrave, Public Information Officer

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Sagging pants ordinance takes effect Thursday, Sept. 13

Beginning Thursday, the fashion in Shreveport is expected to move up -- in some cases, way up.

Persons caught with their pants sagging below their waist so low as to show their skin or undergarments could be cited and summoned to appear in court. If convicted, they could be fined up to $100 and sentenced to perform a day of community service.

Chief Whitehorn is encouraging voluntary compliance by all citizens to avoid being cited.

City Attorney Terri Scott says the ordinance is not intended or designed to target young black males. It is intended to target one particular type of person – those who wear their pants below their waist so that it exposes their back side or underwear in public.

According to the ordinance, any person found to be in violation of the sagging law shall be issued a citation and summons to appear in court.

•        Upon conviction on a first offense, the person would be subject to a maximum $100 fine and sentenced to up to one, eight-hour day of picking up trash or other court-approved community service activity.

•        If convicted of a second offense, the person can be fined up to a $150 fine and sentenced to serve two, eight-hour days of picking up trash or other court-approved community service activity.

•        A third offense carries a fine up to $250 for a third offense and four, eight-hour days of community service.

Citizens are asked to “police themselves” by reminding offenders of the new ordinance and by making it a point to set the example and abide by the law.

Information can be left with crimestoppers at 673-7373 or by logging onto the crimestoppers website at www.crimestoppersshreveportcaddo.com.

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View all SPD press releases at www.ci.shreveport.la.us/dept/police/spdnews