Albany’s saggy pants ordinance might get butted out
ALBANY, Ga. – It’s been ten years since the city of Albany passed a saggy pants ordinance that comes with a $25 fine for having pants below the waist.
An instructor at Albany State University is fighting the city ordinance on baggy pants.
Albany city leaders passed the saggy pants ordinance with a five to two vote in November 2010.
James Pratt Jr.
But now, people in the community like ASU faculty member James Pratt, Jr. argue that the ordinance isn’t just outdated but that it targets a specific group of people. And he says removing the ordinance will build bridges between the community and black men.
He says, “In cities that have had this law there’s a disproportionate impact against black males and I think we already see that theres a tense relationship between black males and the police and laws like these give a pretext for search and seizure which may allow for the rupturing of the trust that we want to see particularly in areas where we want to move towards community policing.”
Commissioner Chad Warbington
The city Commissioners are ready to talk about the the issues and will vote on it next Tuesday. Commissioner Chad Warbington says it’s the right time to rediscuss the ordinance.
He says, “Times have changed, culture has changed and I believe its time to reevaluate that ordinance and really discuss is it doing more harm than good?”
Pratt says the ordinance is bad for both citizens and law enforcement.
“It creates a network of distrust, so to speak where police officers are seen as the enemy and we don’t want that in our community. We want a supportive network where police officers feel like they can talk to young black males and encourage them and love on them and build again those networks of trust.”
On Tuesday, Pratt plans to discuss keeping rules on attire out of public spaces but says he wants businesses and private sectors out of it.
“Organizations and institutions can create the cultures that they want to see but in a public space I don’t think we should be regulating the attire of grown people.”
Commissioner Warbington says he looks forward to the conversation. “Our ordinances outta promote law enforcement but at the same time does not target people and doesn’t target a certain group of people and I’m anxious and ready to talk about this and make a decision about it.”
The City Commissioners meeting for discussing the ordinance will be held on February 25th at 6 p.m.
