The authorities of the city of Ocala in central Florida have banned sagging pants which are worn two inches below the natural waistline: anyone caught in public sporting the trend risk a $ 500 fine. The city passed an ordinance Wednesday, with four votes in favor and none against, which prohibits any person wearing their pants so that they expose "underwear or bare buttock" accordign to the digital newspaper The Ocala Star-Banner. This is the second time councilor Mary Rich requests approval of an ordinance of this type, which affects both men and women.
The action against "saggy pants" applies to public places, including sidewalks, parks, sports and recreational facilities, parking and public transport. "I just think it's disgraceful to show your underwear," Councilwoman Mary Rich said. "We try to be a nice, clean city. I think it'll help clean it up some," she said. However, many residents feel it will be used as an excuse for racial profiling, as the style of wearing baggy pants is used mainly by African American residents in Ocala.
"I think this is a form of harassment," said resident Curt Brown. "(It) gets you pulled to the side, (so they can) harass you, search you and have a right to do whatever they want to." "It just makes no sense whatsoever," said resident Adia Crumley. "It's another way to lock people up and put them in jail so the city can make money off of that." Latinos are also fond of sporting the saggy pants look. Could this lead to profiling or harrassment of Latinos as well as African Americans?
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