The “Fashion police” used to be a contrived, fictitious enforcer whose do’s and don’ts commentary came down hard on public fashion violators.
Now, real police departments enforce government-tailored laws against the fashion statement underneath sagging jeans.
Many say this urban style popularized by hip-hop culture started in jail. Now it can land a person in jail in Pine Lawn, the first city in Missouri to fashion a law against sagging and low-rider jeans (popular with young women).
Under the city’s new ordinance, a violation is punishable by a fine up to $100 at the police’s discretion. It shall not be grounds for an arrest or search of the person cited.
Parents of minors will be notified by mail that there child has warned. If a parent knowingly allows a child to sag again, that parent could be charged with a misdemeanor and incarceration of up to 90 days in jail and/or a fine of up to $500.
“I feel it, but they’re taking it too far,” said 18-year-old Clifton Sparkling, whose pants sometimes sag.
“Every generation has a social and cultural thing – how they wear their clothes, hair, etc. – and there’s always someone older than them telling them what they are doing is wrong,” Sparkling said.
“What about bellbottoms, wide-brim hats and wide-collar shirts with their chest hairs showing?” Sparkling said.
Pine Lawn Police Chief Ricky Collins agrees it’s a fashion statement, but he think it can be offensive.
“They can make a fashion statement and even have their pants sagging, but if someone is showing their skin or butt that’s indecent exposure,” the chief said.
The chief isn’t going to fashion a task force or change patrol techniques or procedures to tailor enforcement of the ordinance.
Instead, Collins will used contact with violators as an accessory to public relations.
“We’re not trying to raise people’s children – all we’re trying to do is assist them in becoming responsible, presentable citizens,” Collins said.
“And it gives my officers a chance to get in conversations about why it’s upgrading the city’s image,” he said.
That’s exactly what Pine Lawn Mayor Sylvester Caldwell wants. Caldwell, a longtime resident and officeholder in Pine Lawn, said he wants to zip up the prospect of commercial development in the area by dressing up the city’s image.
“Nah, who wants to pump millions of dollars into a city with an image and conditions like this?” said the mayor, a Majic 104.9 personality and deejay.
The sagging ordinance is one aspect of a three-part initiative from the city’s legislature.
The mayor also had curfew and housing codes up his sleeve. Both preceded the sagging ordinance.
“You don’t have to move out to West County or South County to get quality government – I’m implementing it right here,” said Caldwell, who grew up in Pine Lawn with Chief Collins.
“Since he’s been here, he’s done a lot of work,” said Pine Lawn parent Santanna Davis, who agrees with the sagging ordinance.
“Some parents don’t agree with it, but to a certain extent (sagging) is disrespectful, because they’re showing their body,” said Davis, adding that she’s for anything positive in her community.
Pine Lawn teenager Hero G. said his pants might be below his waist, but his shirt covers his undergarment, which are his gym shorts.
“We don’t let our underwear show – that’s dirty,” he said.
The young man also called the ordinance senseless because Pine Lawn isn’t flooded with saggers.
The mayor wants to make sure that’s the case – and the city has his back.
Mayor Caldwell said he got the idea when a young lady at an area service station told a young flirter to get a belt.
Another lady who heard the girl told Caldwell that sagging is outlawed in her hometown in Louisiana.
The ban is currently in place in Mansfield, Alexandria, Shreveport, Delcambre, Port Allen and Lafourche parishes in Louisiana.
“If it suits Louisiana, it can suit Pine Lawn,” Caldwell said.
