Shreveport Police Dept.

Date: Aug 19, 2008

Phone: 318/673-6932 Fax: 318/673-6933

Contact: Kacee Hargrave, Public Information Officer

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Crack down on Sagging and Truancy

As the school bell rings for students throughout the City of Shreveport, Shreveport Police will be cracking down on children who try to skip school.

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.

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.

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.

Information can be left with Crime Stoppers at 673-7373 or by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website at www.crimestoppersshreveportcaddo.com.

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View all SPD press releases at www.ci.shreveport.la.us/dept/police/spdnews