Sikeston council discusses sagging pants

SIKESTON, Mo. — Sikeston City Council members and residents agreed they don't like baggy sagging pants. Whether the city should pass an ordinance banning sagging is yet to be decided.

The discussion on possible legislative action to address sagging and baggy pants was the first business item on the agenda for the regular Sikeston City Council meeting Monday.

Mike Bohannon, mayor pro tem, said city officials have received comments via e-mail on the pros and cons of banning sagging pants and there are many issues to consider — such as the idea of "measuring the amount of everybody's boxers that are showing."

Asked for his opinion by the council, Capt. Dan Armour of the Department of Public Safety said there could be enforcement issues to deal with if an ordinance is passed, but the position of the DPS is to enforce the laws as passed by the city council.

"It's a shame we even have to be having this discussion," Bohannon said. "We've got a lot of good youth in this town. We don't want to give the perception of picking on them."

Missy Marshall, executive director for Sikeston Area Chamber of Commerce, said those who wear sagging pants used to wear a long shirt to cover the hemlines but related how those she has seen recently have their shirts up high enough to reveal more.

"I can tell you what their boxers looked like," she said, "and I think that's why people are getting so upset."

Many businesses, Bohannon noted, already have "no shirt, no shoes, no service" policies in place.

Councilman Michael Harris said he would like to see more businesses get involved in setting dress codes for their establishments.

"We address it at school," he said. "When I have to see boxers, I don't like that."

Marshall suggested the city encourage businesses to establish no sagging policies. "Maybe we should try that route first," she said.

One citizen pointed out that there has been controversy regarding breast feeding in the past, but noted that what is really at issue here is simply revealing underwear — not a breast.

Another citizen said seeing someone's boxer shorts is offensive. "They can't walk in my house, they can't walk in my yard," he said. But some people, he added, would also like to see laws passed prohibiting dresses that are no shorter than 3 inches above the knee, too. "It's the same thing," he said.

Concerns were also voiced that youth might "make a game out of it" and run from police when they were wearing sagging or baggy pants.

"I appreciate everybody's thoughts on it," Bohannon said. "There are a lot of pros and cons on this."