 |
3 more articles on this subject:
Flint Michigan has a new police chief who objects to pants that expose butt cracks. Those who show too much of their rear ends can now be arrested, fined and jailed.
Flint Michigan's acting Police Chief David R. Dicks announced on Thursday that those people who wear pants or shorts that are too low and expose their rear ends will be arrested.
As reported in the MLive.com Dicks released a statement that said, "This immoral self expression goes beyond free speech. "It rises to the crime of indecent exposure/disorderly persons."
There are a few cities nationwide that have banned pants that are too low and that reveal butt cracks. The style is objectionable to many but how will it be enforced is a question. Some are afraid that it will target young black men more than other groups. Others wonder if ultra-low riders should be considered Constitutionally protected.
An ACLU attorney in Flint, Greg Gibbs, said all forms of clothing are not protected by the Constitution even if some say it is a form of expression.
Gibbs said,
"The issue is: Does it violate the First Amendment?" He added that he plans on more research on the issue.
According to Dicks he has received a "significant" amount of complaints from the citizens in Flint.
The orders are for any officer who sees "sagging/exposing buttocks" has probable cause to make the arrest under the city's disorderly person ordinance. The arrest is a misdemeanor and is punishable by a $500 fine and three months in jail.
Frances Gilcreast the Flint president of the NAACP said he is not a fan of the style but because it is a fashion that young black men favor his worry is that police are focusing on that style.
Gilcreast stated
"I'm not interested in looking at anyone's underwear. "My concern is how (the policy) will be applied equitably."
How it will be enforced is a concern of some of Flint's police officers.
Keith Speer, president of the Flint Police Officers Association said in the past they would issue a warning if there was too much skin showing. The arrests were for those with "full moons"
Speer said, "Most of the time, if they're wearing sagging pants they're also wearing boxers."
Speer doesn't expect that there will be any big changes in how the issue is handled by the officers.
Speer said, "It's like issuing a memo telling officers to enforce the law. "Are we going to get a memo every time somebody complains?"
-
It must be wonderful to live in a community where there is so little real crime that law enforcement personnel can do double duty as fashion police.
There is a slippery slope in all this however. If one group of people feel that they have the right to ride herd on other people's cloths then where will it all end? Hard time for women wearing sandals (there are those who find the sight disturbing) or heavy fines for skirts that show more of the knee than some people find comfortable? Spandex on overweight people should, of course, be a capital offense but this could get out of hand.
Police: "Hey you in the red hat, up against the wall! You are in violation of City Ordinance 87649838--6 "excessive frivolity in head wear. Don't you realize that children may see you?" ;o)
-
@ lensman67
It must be wonderful to live in a community where there is so little real crime that law enforcement personnel can do double duty as fashion police.
There is a slippery slope in all this however. If one group of people feel that they have the right to ride herd on other people's cloths then where will it all end? Hard time for women wearing sandals (there are those who find the sight disturbing) or heavy fines for skirts that show more of the knee than some people find comfortable? Spandex on overweight people should, of course, be a capital offense but this could get out of hand.
Police: "Hey you in the red hat, up against the wall! You are in violation of City Ordinance 87649838--6 "excessive frivolity in head wear. Don't you realize that children may see you?" ;o)
Oh my goodness, do you really mean Red Hat Ladies that also wear sandals might possibly be subject to arrest? Truly alarming! -
And I thought the "fashion police" was just a metaphor
-
In 2006 the crime rate in Flint for all crimes was worse than the national average.
In 2007 Flint had a 46% drop in crime. -
@ Cynthia T. [Picasso]
In 2006 the crime rate in Flint for all crimes was worse than the national average.
In 2007 Flint had a 46% drop in crime.
Must be the "crack" down on low pants that is "behind" the drop in crime. ;o) -
@ 666divine
And I thought the "fashion police" was just a metaphor
Even with a 47% drop in crime by the comments that were left that can be seen in the link there are many that don't agree with this.
According to the comments serious crime in Flint is still rampant.
Most people that I know that take the I-75 freeway to northern Michigan do not plan on a stop in Flint. -
@ lensman67
Must be the "crack" down on low pants that is "behind" the drop in crime. ;o)
As one Flint resident said they are glad they won't need to be distracted by butt cracks. They will now be able to enjoy the experiences of having their house broken into multiple times, and getting mugged, raped, and murdered in Flint. -
Another possible headline for this article, "Flint Michigan Says NO to Crack."
Great article :)
-
You know, schools have cracked down on things like this, which I can see. And although I don't like seeing anyone's butt cracks, I would rather have the police doing their jobs in other ways than to try and deal with the "real" law breakers.
-
@ Mr Garibaldi
Another possible headline for this article, "Flint Michigan Says NO to Crack."
Great article :)
Thanks Mr. G.
That would have been a cute title. :) -
@ Debra Myers (skyangel)
You know, schools have cracked down on things like this, which I can see. And although I don't like seeing anyone's butt cracks, I would rather have the police doing their jobs in other ways than to try and deal with the "real" law breakers.
Flint is planning on laying off at least 46 police officers. With their crime rate I don't know how they will keep up with serious crimes let alone patrolling the streets looking for butt cracks. -
@ Cynthia T. [Picasso]
Flint is planning on laying off at least 46 police officers. With their crime rate I don't know how they will keep up with serious crimes let alone patrolling the streets looking for butt cracks.
Exactly. I don't think this is something that they are going to consistantly enforce.
Just sent you an emal. -
@ Debra Myers (skyangel)
Exactly. I don't think this is something that they are going to consistantly enforce.
Just sent you an emal.
Flint is a fairly large city and with a layoff of at least 46 police officers how can they watch out for pants too low unless it is really bad.
I got the email. :) -
A good punny title. One of the problems that I find with pants, today, is that the waistbands are cut too low. Look at some of the old movies and you'll note men's pants are belted at, or just below, the bellybutton.
I'm constantly having to lift and cinch and have put on the odd display, I'm sure, while cycling. Just hope some angry motorist (aren't they all?) doesn't take it as a cycling version of the raised middle digit.
-
@ Cynthia T. [Picasso]
Thanks Mr. G.
That would have been a cute title. :)
Some years ago a lingerie shop hired me to do an ad for them and we came up with this picture:
and the caption: "Crack kills!" -
@ skeptikool
A good punny title. One of the problems that I find with pants, today, is that the waistbands are cut too low. Look at some of the old movies and you'll note men's pants are belted at, or just below, the bellybutton.
I'm constantly having to lift and cinch and have put on the odd display, I'm sure, while cycling. Just hope some angry motorist (aren't they all?) doesn't take it as a cycling version of the raised middle digit.
Thanks skeptikool.
I am sure that many of us have seen those on bikes that by Flint's law could be arrested. :) -
@ lensman67
Some years ago a lingerie shop hired me to do an ad for them and we came up with this picture:
and the caption: "Crack kills!"
Flint's police chief might not take to kindly to that. -
@ Cynthia T. [Picasso]
Flint's police chief might not take to kindly to that.
Well at least I didn't show the other picture in the series, the one of the front. If I had I might have been "busted." ;o) -
@ lensman67
Well at least I didn't show the other picture in the series, the one of the front. If I had I might have been "busted." ;o)
Or maybe the hall moniter might have gotten after you? :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQRtbLvw1sE-
And in other news, finding a plumber in Flint has become exceedingly difficult, leading to backed up toilets and long lines at public restrooms.
-
@ atroxodisse
And in other news, finding a plumber in Flint has become exceedingly difficult, leading to backed up toilets and long lines at public restrooms.
Well maybe backed up toilets and long lines at restrooms is better than showing cracks.
Maybe plumbers should be required to wear long smocks. :) -
Waaay overdue! What a stupid image to project to the rest of the world: "Duh, I can't let go of my pants long enough to do ANYTHING effectively! Oh, yeah, could you give me a job??? I'm entitled to one...whine whine....."
-
@ cj202
Waaay overdue! What a stupid image to project to the rest of the world: "Duh, I can't let go of my pants long enough to do ANYTHING effectively! Oh, yeah, could you give me a job??? I'm entitled to one...whine whine....."
Welcome to DJ cj202 from one Michigander to another. :-)
I am sure many share your feelings. -
@ cj202
Waaay overdue! What a stupid image to project to the rest of the world: "Duh, I can't let go of my pants long enough to do ANYTHING effectively! Oh, yeah, could you give me a job??? I'm entitled to one...whine whine....."
LOLOL! That's just the way it is! -
|
 |
|
|
Email
Print
Share
Flint Michigan police to crack down on sagging pants that reveal too much
