Louisiana's Saggy Pants Crackdown

July 24, 2007— -- Wearing low pants carries a high risk of fines and even jail time in several Louisiana parishes where new ordinances call for police to crack down on wardrobe violations in city streets.

Lafourche Parish President Charlotte Randolph has signed an ordinance, approved 5-4 last Wednesday by the Parish Council, that makes it illegal for anyone to reveal underwear or to dress in a way that is "not becoming to his or her sex."

"Our kids kind of got away from us," said Lafourche Council member Lindel Toups, who proposed the ordinance. "And they need to start showing respect to their elders."

Violators could be fined $50 to $100 for the first two offenses, and $100 plus 16 hours of community service after revealing buttocks, underwear or even bra straps a third time.

This Cajun town is the second of several Louisiana jurisdictions to propose penalties for dress-code violations, which city officials call indecent exposure and a danger to the community. Pointe Coupee Parish votes on a saggy pants ban of its own Tuesday, proposing $500 fines and even jail time for violators.

But because of a lack of specific enforcement guidelines and the ban's potential conflict with the Constitution, there's no need to invest in a belt just yet.

Lafourche Council member Lindel Toups, who proposed the ordinance, acknowledges that the ban could be unconstitutional and is drafting an amendment that will specify the dress-code terms, namely that underwear can't be showing in public places, with exceptions like the beach.

Lafourche's ban arrives less than a month after Mayor Carol Broussard signed Decalmbres' own saggy britches ordinance into effect, which set up heftier penalties of up to six months in jail and a $500 fine for full or partial nudity, "dress not becoming to his or her sex," and exposure of undergarments.

 Pointe Coupee Parish will hold a public hearing Tuesday to vote on a  similar proposal banning "indecent exposure."