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Tag: ordinance

  • Homeless Sign Contest: Two Texas Cops Suspended

    Two Midland, Texas police officers were suspended for three days after the police department learned of a panhandling game.

    According to the Associated Press, Derek Hester, 25, and 26-year-old Daniel Zoelzer, were suspended without pay for competing in a game to see who could steal the most cardboard signs from the homeless.

    The news agency also reported how:

    …eight signs were found in the trunk of Hester’s patrol car on Nov. 20 and Zoelzer had thrown about 10 signs he had confiscated into a city trash container after Hester called him to warn him he had been reprimanded by his superior for having the signs.

    Although there isn’t a city ordinance that forbids the homeless from panhandling, both officers claimed that they were issuing trespass warnings. However, there were no records to prove this.

    Public scrutiny has now prompted the department to take action against the officers who have only been with the Midland police division for two years.

    Police Chief Price Robinson reportedly said that the officers didn’t deserve a harsher punishment since their actions concerned another department.

    However, homeless advocacy groups believe otherwise. One attorney in the Odessa Office of the Texas Civil Rights Project described how she felt about the officers’ immature game.

    “The fact that they are making sport out of collecting the personal property of homeless individuals could be seen as them targeting these individuals for discriminatory harassment,” Cassandra Champion told the AP.

    In addition to their suspension, Hester and Zoelzer are being investigated for failing to report evidence received during a November 18 patrol stop.

    Robinson said that officers were recently reminded of the appropriate behavior expected of them, which is outlined in the department’s professional standards of conduct.

    “We want to respect people, no matter who they are — homeless, whatever,” Robinson said. “That situation’s been dealt with. Those officers understand.”

    A message posted on the department’s website may also be in connection to what has occurred recently:

    The members of the Midland Police Department are committed to working with the public to provide law enforcement services to all. We will provide these services in an effective, efficient, and professional manner to insure that Midland is a quality community in which to live, work, visit and play

    The department greatly appreciates the positive relationship that exists between the citizens of our community and our police force. Our officers are highly professional in their skills and are very sensitive to the concerns of our community.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Baggy Pants Illegal In Louisiana Town, Opponents Say Law Is Slippery Slope

    Baggy pants are tacky, but making the questionable fashion statement illegal seems to be taking it a bit too far. One town in Louisiana apparently doesn’t see the problem as it has made baggy pants illegal.

    The town of Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana recently voted 8-1 in favor of outlawing baggy pants. The ordinance says that “appearing in public view while exposing one’s skin or undergarments below the waist is contrary to safety, health, peace and good order of the parish and the general welfare.”

    Those found in violation of the new baggy pants law will be hit with increasingly more expensive fines for each offense. The first offense will cost $50, the second will cost $100, and every other offense after that will cost $100 and 16 hours of community service.

    Those who argued for the law went to great lengths to point out that they aren’t making this a race issue. They said that baggy pants are simply crass, and an undesirable part of prison culture that made its way into mainstream fashion.

    Those who opposed the law said that they agreed that baggy pants were tacky, but argued that legislating fashion is a slippery slope that leads to legislating morality. They said it was an example of government overreach and shouldn’t be allowed.

    Despite arguments against it, it’s expected that the Parish president will sign the anti-baggy pants ordinance into law. The ordinance will surely promote decency among the young men and women of Terrebonne Parish because baggy pants are obviously the greatest threat to decency since rock and roll and mini-skirts.

    [WWLTV via HuffPost]

  • LA County Bans Football And Frisbee Imposes $1000 Fine

    If you visit any beaches in Los Angeles County this summer you better look out. The board of supervisors agreed this week to raise fines for anyone who throws a football or volleyball on their beaches. Beach balls and volleyballs are still allowed but a $1000 fine could be imposed on anyone who violates the new ordinance.

    The ordinance states, “It is unlawful for any person to cast, toss, throw, kick, or roll any ball, tube, or any light object other than a beach ball or beach volleyball upon or over any beach,”

    Here’s how some people responded via Twitter:

    Other activities which are banned on LA County Beaches include; smoking, any tent or canopy over 10′ x 10′, loud or unusual music and/or noise, profane language, alcoholic beverages, intoxicated people, product sales of any kind, fires, nudity, fireworks, or model vehicle operation (such as boats, airplanes, helicopter, ect.). There are designated areas for special interest activities like, parasailing, surfing, paddle boarding, ect, but special permits must be obtained for activities outside the ordinance descriptions. Also it’s worthy to note that public bathing is not allowed on the beach.

    Here’s a news clip about the new fines: