Linden mulls anti-sagging ordinance
Published 12:00 am Monday, May 5, 2008
LINDEN &8212; City officials agreed they will not be the newest municipality to sport an ordinance banning sagging pants, but at least some city residents say it is a worthwhile proposal.
Councilman William Curry said he talked with at least 12 of his constituents who were in favor of an ordinance making it illegal to sport sagging trousers after last month&8217;s discussion on the subject. The schools have policies about dress, but there is no policy on public dress.
Police Chief Scott McClure said the city does have ordinances about public indecency and lewdness, but a closer reading of the laws show they do not technically apply to sagging pants.
Although some of the council members seemed to be in favor of such a proposal, McClure suggested, as he did in previous meetings, waiting to see if other cities enacted such an ordinance first.
While anti-sagging legislation has been passed in other places &8212; Georgia, Florida and Louisiana, to name a few &8212; one concern is about the outcome of a potential arrest. Many fear an arrest on such a charge would lead to a lawsuit with the city about the constitutionality of such an ordinance.
In other business, the council:
discussed abatement of a dilapidated property.
accepted bids on surplus items and agreed to re-bid one item.
announced progress on construction work at Austin Park.