Willie W. Bonvillain
November 20, 2013
Patterson still alive after hard-fought victory
November 27, 2013
Add Thibodaux to the list of Tri-parish towns that may soon require citizens to keep their pants up in public.
At last Tuesday’s City Council meeting, councilman Gene Richard introduced a law that would punish those who roam the city’s streets with their undergarments exposed because of sagging pants.
After hearing public discussion pertaining to the proposed law at the governing body’s next meeting in early December, the council will likely vote on the issue.
If passed, Thibodaux’s law will levy fines to first-time offenders with community service being issued after a third violation.
“I think it’s just a question of morality and decency,” Richard said. “I think it’s time to do something. … We shouldn’t have to walk down the street and be offended by someone who is flashing their drawers.”
If Thibodaux’s law passes council approval, it will mark the second law of its kind in Lafourche Parish.
In 2007, Lafourche Parish Councilman Lindel Toups championed a successful ordinance by a narrow 5-4 margin that made it unlawful for people in the parish for people to have their pant-line hang below their waist. The Terrebonne Parish Council also passed a similar ordinance into law this past year.
Thibodaux Mayor Tommy Eschete said Richard’s law will “follow alongside” the Lafourche council’s ordinance.
The mayor said he has never viewed the two laws side-by-side, but added that it is his understanding that the law introduced by Richard will call mostly for more stringent enforcement.
Toups’ 2007 ordinance offered fines for the first two offenses and then a fine and community service on a third.
Richard’s law for Thibodaux will follow that same structure.
“I’m told that ours is a little tougher with the penalties,” Eschete said. “But in essence, it’s really about the same.”
“It’s the same basic ordinance,” Richard agreed. “We just thought we’d support the parish’s efforts and have a similar one here.”
Enforcing the proposed law is where Thibodaux hopes to have more success than the parish has had.
Since Toups’ parish-wide ordinance was enacted, officers have issued just more than 50 total citations for saggy pants offenses, a number that comes out to fewer than 10 tickets per year.
Eschete said Thibodaux Police Department officers have heard complaints regarding the issue, but the mayor does not believe they have issued a citation.
But if passed, Eschete said he believes that would change.
“I feel comfortable with what the parish’s ordinance is – I told the council that,” Eschete said. “They are our legislative body. They certainly have the right to go on and vote how they like on their ordinance, so we’ll see how that goes.
“But if they do it, we’re going to enforce it. It’s that simple.”
Whether the law passes or fails, Eschete said he wants people to understand that the city is not labeling, nor branding those that wear their clothing in a way that is unlawful according to the proposed ordinance.
“I don’t want this to be viewed as the people who choose to dress this way are bad people, because that’s not the case whatsoever. We don’t think those people are bad people in any way, shape or form,” Eschete said. “But I don’t think people who speed are bad people either, but Thibodaux has a law regarding speeding and when it happens, we punish people for it. It’s the same thing with this, assuming it goes through.”
At least one member of the council will make sure the mayor’s words hold true.
District C Councilwoman Constance Johnson said she supports the proposed ordinance, but has concerns about its execution and enforcement. The lone black member of the five-person council, Johnson said she wants to make sure all people are treated fairly and certain demographics would not be targeted by authorities if the legislation becomes law.
When Lafourche passed its law, members of the NAACP alleged that the law was unconstitutional and targeted young black men because of the stereotype that the loose-fitting and low-hanging pants are part of that community’s culture.
Johnson said she wants to be reassured that this type of targeting would not take place in Thibodaux.
“I support it as long as it’s fair and as long as it’s enforced fairly to all people,” Johnson said. “That is my only concern that I have at this time – enforcement.”
