Florida town passes saggy pants ban

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COCOA, Fla., Oct. 24 (UPI) -- A Florida city council said an ordinance that could result in saggy pants wearers being fined will not take effect until next year so the community can be informed.

The Cocoa City Council voted 3-1 Tuesday in favor of the ordinance, which would impose $25 fines on wearers of saggy pants who previously received verbal warnings, Florida Today reported Wednesday.

Councilman Clarence Whipple, the sole opposing vote on the ordinance, said he sought to postpone voting on the ordinance after residents raised concerns about profiling and selective enforcement. His motion was not seconded.

"We need to make sure our Cocoa Police Department enforces this ordinance in all the districts," Whipple said. "I'm asking that we educate the public prior to adopting this ordinance."

The council agreed to delay enforcement of the ordinance until Jan. 1 to allow the public to be educated about the new rules before fines are imposed.