MI- Flint's police chief shrugs at Florida saggy pants ruling

9-18-2008 Michigan:

Law is unconstitutional, Florida judge decides

Police in Flint won't stop arresting people with saggy pants despite a judge's ruling this week that a similar law in Florida was unconstitutional, Flint Police Chief David Dicks said Wednesday.

Pointing out that the law by a trial judge in Riviera Beach has no legal weight in Flint, Dicks said his officers will continue making arrests "if the pants are at the knees and your underwear is exposed."

"That is disorderly," Dicks said. "We're not going to sit here and let that happen in Flint."

Attorneys for the American Civil Liberties Union applauded the judge's decision and warned Wednesday that they plan to file a lawsuit against the city soon if police continue to arrest people wearing saggy pants.

"The judge's reasoning is right on point," said Greg Gibbs, a lawyer for the ACLU Flint chapter. "You can't arrest people because of their style of dress."

Circuit Judge Paul Moyle decided Monday that a law banning saggy pants in Riviera Beach is unconstitutional. The case was prompted by the arrest last week of a 17-year-old who police say was riding a bike with his boxer shorts exposed.

Voters in Riviera Beach approved the law in March. ..News Source.. by STEVE NEAVLING • FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER