#Florida city repeals ‘saggy pants’ ban that targeted black men

A city in south Florida has overturned its “saggy pants” ban from 2007, with officials saying it disproportionately targeted black men.

The City Commission in Opa-locka voted 4-1 Wednesday to repeal the legislation affecting men, as well as a 2013 ordinance that said women could also be subjected to a civil citation for wearing pants that exposed their underwear, the Miami Herald reported.

“I was never in support of it, even as a resident,” Vice Mayor Chris Davis, who sponsored the repeal, told the Herald. “I felt it disproportionately affected a certain segment of our population, which is young, African-American men.”

The repeal has to be approved again at a subsequent commission meeting before it’s official. But the first reading was co-sponsored by four of five commissioners, the paper noted.

Signs are still posted around the city, northwest of Miami, warning people of the ordinance that “bans the wearing of saggy pants apparel in Opa-locka city parks and buildings.”

“No ifs, ands or butts … it’s the city law!” the sign reads, with an image of two young men with their pants hanging below their waists.

Mayor Matthew Pigatt wants the signs removed.

“It’s long overdue and they need to go,” he said. “They’re an eyesore in the city.”

It’s unclear how often the law — which doled out $250 in fines — was enforced or how much money was collected in fines over the years, the Herald reported.

When it was changed in November 2013, city officials said 72 tickets were issued so far that year.

Fines were doubled to $500 in 2013, with violators alternatively threatened with 25 hours of community service.

When the legislation was passed, the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida ripped it as a “ridiculous waste of public resources,” saying it would “impose overly harsh penalties for victimless behavior.” The ACLU also said blacks would be disproportionately affected.

The ACLU cheered the steps toward official repeal.

“Criminalizing the way someone wears their clothing serves no one. Similar ordinances have been pursued across the country and have only yielded heightened racial profiling by police and increased racial disparities in the criminal justice system,” the group told the Herald.

“It is an affront to the constitutional principles of fairness, free expression, and due process of law,” the statement said. “We’re glad the commissioners voted to repeal this ordinance. Our local leaders should be looking at ways to end discriminatory practices, not embolden them.”