Wildwood City Commissioners on Wednesday passed a law banning overly saggy pants on the boardwalk, prompted by numerous complaints from longtime visitors about having to see people’s rear ends hanging out in public.
Subsequent violations of the law, which takes effect July 2, could result in fines as high as $200 and 40 hours of community service.
Civil libertarians say the law is unconstitutional and predict it will be overturned if challenged in court.
But Mayor Ernest Troiano Jr. said the issue is simple.
“This is just adding a little bit of decency to our town,” he said. “It’s amazing — and this is a pun — how far decency has fallen through the cracks.”
The law passed unanimously, and no one spoke against it. Several residents strongly supported the law.
“It’s long overdue,” said Mary Erceg. “People who choose to dress like that offend any person. There has to be some common standard of decency. It offends all of us.”
“We need it,” added resident Dennis Flynn. “This is our city. You have to respect it.”
The trend, known popularly as sagging, originated in the U.S. prison system, where inmates are not allowed to wear belts. It was popularized by hip-hop artists and embraced by youths.
Authorities in suburbs of New Orleans, Chicago, Atlanta, Detroit, Miami and Jacksonville, Fla., are among those who have passed laws banning overly droopy pants.
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