By Leslie N. Dees
The Star Herald
KOSCIUSKO —
The City of Kosciusko has followed a trend of Mississippi municipalities and outlawed “sagging pants” by passing an ordinance prohibiting public indecency during their meeting September 18 at City Hall.
The city began talking about taking action on the indecent exposure in August and had reviewed several municipalities ordinances on the matter.
Kosciusko Mayor Jimmy Cockroft said there was a lot of public support for the ordinance.
There was not much discussion on the matter before, the aldermen took a vote.
A motion to adopt the ordinance prohibiting public indecency was made by alderman Robert Ellis and seconded by alderman John Sullivan. The motion was unanimously passed.
In the ordinance, public indecency, with regard to “sagging pants,” is defined as appearing to wear pants or skirts more than three inches below the top of the hips (crest of the ilium) exposing the skin or undergarments.
Those caught with “sagging pants” will be charged a $50 fine for the first offense and no more than $200 for a subsequent offense.
In addition to the fine, the Kosciusko Municipal Court may order a violator to serve up to 40 hours of court approved community service activities, the ordinance reads.
The ordinance states: Violator shall not be subject to arrest or imprisonment for violation of this section, however, the Kosciusko Municipal Court shall have full authority to enforce its orders, judgments and sentences.
Other measures of public indecency include: sexual intercourse, nudity, fondling and urination or defecations.
The ordinance will go into effect October 18. Before the ordinance goes into effect, it will be published in The Star-Herald.
Other municipalities that have passed a “sagging pants” ordinance include: Fulton, Columbus, Tunica, Tupelo, Ripley, Indianola, Meridian, Columbia and Saltillo.
