Shreveport leaders have voted to do away with an ordinance banning sagging pants. The ordinance was passed in 2007 at the urging of Councilman Calvin Lester and signed by then Mayor Cedric Glover. Both men say it was an effort to cut crime in the community.

Judge Rules Ban On Saggy Pants Unconstitutional
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But since its adoption, the vast majority of citations have been issued to African American men. Specific number from the police department show citations were issued to 699 black men and 12 white men.

The City Council voted 6-1 to abolish the saggy britches law.

Councilwoman LeVette Fuller proposed the change after learning about the case of 31-year-old Anthony Childs. Childs died in February after an officer tried to stop him for sagging pants. A Shreveport police officer chased and shot Childs several times, killing him. Caddo Coroner Todd Thoma says Childs ultimately died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the chest..

Police Chief Ben Raymond did not take a public stance on the saggy pants ordinance, telling KEEL News "we will enforce the laws that are on the books."

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