Jonesboro approves ban on 'sagging'

By Fran Jeffries

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Wearing sagging pants can now be considered 'disorderly conduct' in Jonesboro.

The Jonesboro City Council voted 5 to 1 Monday to approve an ordinance that bans the saggy style  after heated debate among residents and councilmembers.

Mayor Luther Maddox noted that the ban is an amendment to the city's disorderly conduct law.  It stipulates that anyone who wears pants, shorts or skirts more than 3 inches below their hips can be cited for “disorderly conduct” and fined, the mayor said.

"People in Jonesboro don't want to look at other people's drawers," said Maddox, who proposed the ban. He called it a tourism issue, as well. "Jonesboro is home to ‘Gone with the Wind'," said Maddox. "We get visitors from all over the world, and we don't need to show them our underwear."

He said police would issue a warning to 'saggers' at first; but if they refuse, they could be cited and have to appear before the city’s municipal judge and pay a fine.

Maddox said the ban will officially go into effect 10 days after Monday’s meeting, which would be the end of next week.

The city of Hampton adopted a similar ban last month.

Check back for updates.