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SCHOOL NEWS 9PM 8-19-08 Shreveport Police Crack Down on Sagging Pants, School Truancy
Tuesday, Aug 19, 2008 7:26pm

SHREVEPORT, LA (By: Tom Pace, Talk of the Town) BREAKING: SCHOOL NEWS 9pm 8-19-08 It's the first week back to school, and as the bell rings for students throughout the city, Shreveport Police will be cracking down on children who try to skip school, as well as those wearing "saggy pants."

Truancy can cause a lot of trouble for the community -- kids who skip school do not get their educations and oftentimes commit crimes while adults are away at work.

According to Shreveport Police P.I.O. Kaycee Hargrave, last year 216 truancy citations were issued. However, that doesn't include the amount of students caught by police on city streets and returned to campus. In the 216 cases, students were taken by police to the Truancy Assessment & Service Center, located at 225 Wyandotte Street in Shreveport.

In addition to truancy, police are beginning to see more people with sagging pants. The so-called "Sagging" ordinance, which prohibits citizens from wearing pants below their waist in public, was passed nearly one year ago.

So far, 31 people have been cited for "sagging" since the law took place. That doesn't include the number of people who have been given warnings for the offense.

Oftentimes, a person will not be cited if they adhere to the officer's request to pull up their pants. Those who don't listen, though, can be issued a citation. Those convicted face a fine of up to $100 and eight hours of picking up trash or other court-appointed service.