Louisiana town outlaws 'sagging pants'

A Louisiana town council has unanimously passed an ordinance aimed at tackling the public decency menace of low-slung trousers.

Delcambre Mayor Carol Broussard, earlier this week confirmed he will sign the proposal "to make wearing saggy trousers an act of indecent exposure", the BBC reports. He said: "If you expose your private parts, you'll get a fine." To absolutely clarify his position on the matter, he said of trouser low-riders: "They're better off taking the pants off and just wearing a dress."

The possible penalty is US$500 (£254), and offenders really letting it all hang out could face six months' jail.

Town attorney Ted Ayo explained that the ordinance "expands on the existing state indecent exposure law by adding underwear to the list of forbidden exposures". He elaborated: "This is a new ordinance that deals specifically with sagging pants. It's about showing off your underwear in public."

Unsurprisingly, some residents have complained the clampdown is aimed at black citizens, since " low-slung trousers are fashionable among hip hop fans". Broussard dismissed the claim with: "White people wear sagging pants, too." ®