MONTGOMERY, Al.
A Montgomery legislator wants young men to pull their sagging pants up or face getting a ticket.
Rep. Alvin Holmes, D-Montgomery, has filed a bill for the 2012 session that would prohibit wearing pants that hang "more than three inches below the hips of the person that cause the display or exposure of the undergarment."
"It's nasty and filthy and I'm going to stop it," Holmes said of the fashion trend.
The legislation pertains only to Montgomery County. But Holmes said that, if the bill passes in the upcoming legislative session, he wants to try for a statewide ban.
Baggy-panted offenders would be fined under Holmes' proposal.
Juveniles would be fined between $25 and $100. Adults would be fined between $25 and $150. The local court would have the option of sentencing offenders to community service, in lieu of the fine.
Offenders couldn't be jailed and wouldn't have to pay court costs.
The trend has been around for more than a decade, but it recently has seen a backlash from disgusted politicians as several cities and towns across the country have debated bans.
The Selma City Council approved a similar ban last year.
Holmes, who was first elected to the House of Representatives in 1974, maintained that the issue goes beyond just questioning the fashion choices of the younger generation.
"It's very disrespectful for these people to wear these pants showing their underwear," Holmes said.
The Montgomery Democrat said the final straw for him came during a morning coffee run to Waffle House.
Holmes said a man came in with pants so low that you could see the seat of his underwear, which were, unclean.
The man's shorts were in dire need of some bleach, the lawmaker said.
An older couple had to abandon their breakfast and leave the restaurant because they were so disgusted, Holmes said.
"It's disrespectful to our wives, our mothers and people in general," Holmes said.
A Montgomery legislator wants young men to pull their sagging pants up or face getting a ticket.
 |
| Rep. Alvin Holmes |
"It's nasty and filthy and I'm going to stop it," Holmes said of the fashion trend.
The legislation pertains only to Montgomery County. But Holmes said that, if the bill passes in the upcoming legislative session, he wants to try for a statewide ban.
Baggy-panted offenders would be fined under Holmes' proposal.
Juveniles would be fined between $25 and $100. Adults would be fined between $25 and $150. The local court would have the option of sentencing offenders to community service, in lieu of the fine.
Offenders couldn't be jailed and wouldn't have to pay court costs.
The trend has been around for more than a decade, but it recently has seen a backlash from disgusted politicians as several cities and towns across the country have debated bans.
The Selma City Council approved a similar ban last year.
Holmes, who was first elected to the House of Representatives in 1974, maintained that the issue goes beyond just questioning the fashion choices of the younger generation.
"It's very disrespectful for these people to wear these pants showing their underwear," Holmes said.
The Montgomery Democrat said the final straw for him came during a morning coffee run to Waffle House.
Holmes said a man came in with pants so low that you could see the seat of his underwear, which were, unclean.
The man's shorts were in dire need of some bleach, the lawmaker said.
An older couple had to abandon their breakfast and leave the restaurant because they were so disgusted, Holmes said.
"It's disrespectful to our wives, our mothers and people in general," Holmes said.
No comments:
Post a Comment