Where were they when everybody was wearing jelly shoes?
Charleston City Councilmen James Lewis, Robert Mitchell, and Wendell Gilliard are proposing a ban on saggy pants. Why?
Councilman James Lewis. “You’ll be in the mall having to walk behind these guys, having to look at their underwear, and it’s just not appropriate.”
Councilman Wendell Gilliard said saggy pants are associated with gangs and drugs, and should not be tolerated.
“What about that innocent child who grows up with a parent who wears saggy pants?” he said. “When your pants are down, your pride is down.”
Gilliard doesn’t go far enough with his point. If you create these new fashion violations, you’re enabling law enforcement to find probable cause to stop suspicious guys walking down the street and search them for drugs, even if they’re just walking down the street.
The story incorrectly states that Jasper County has approved a ban (they’re currently mulling it over with lawyers and law enforcement).Â
One Comment
Wow, I wonder if this will reach the Supreme Court one day! It’s already been found to be unconstitutional in Florida. There are definitely some fashion choices that are disturbing and baggy pants with revealing boxers or underware is not a favorite of mine. Its repulsive and I hope my nephews never enjoy that style. It’s not the only one that disturbs me. What about super short shorts that reveal butt cheeks or half shirts that reveal a woman’s stomache or belly button? What about tight clothes on a not so thin person that reveals cellulite? Or what if someone in a suit was actually seen as the opposite of nicely dressed — what if nobody wore that type of clothing and it was disturbing to some, now why would someone tie material around someone’s neck, are they trying to strangle themselves? I’m sorry, but sometimes telling someone how to dress can backfire and cause a baggy pants revolution. Leave it alone - maybe it will pass on its own, social looks are one way to kill an idea. Besides… if they are thugs, then police can catch them so much faster when their pants fall to their knees and they flip over. Guys or even gals for that matter, in baggy pants, can’t outrun a police officer!