MERRILLVILLE, Ind. (AP) — Some officials in Merrillville want the community to adopt an ordinance banning people from wearing saggy pants in public.
Merrillville Councilman Don Spann said he has talked to residents who support putting the clothing rule in place. He said he's seen many people out in the community walking with their pants hanging around the buttocks.
The proposal would impose possible fines, but not criminal charges, for people wearing their pants more than 3 inches below the hip in public places, The Times of Munster reported Thursday (http://bit.ly/H0A14p ).
Councilman Ron Widing said he worries the proposal could be viewed as unconstitutional.
"I don't know how we can tell anyone how to dress," Widing said.
Town Administrator Howard Fink said similar restrictions have been adopted in other states and he has not seen constitutional challenges to them.
Council President Shawn Pettit said "it looks terrible" when people wear their pants low, but he also has concerns about the legal aspect of restricting how people wear their pants.
Pettit suggested council members consider having the ban apply only at parks and on other town-owned property.
The council in the town of 35,000, just south of Gary, hasn't taken any action on the proposal. Fink said officials will continue reviewing it.
___
Information from: The Times, http://www.thetimesonline.com
