Hands Up:' 'Can't I'm holding gun weed in sagging pants' pockets

kaplantoday.com ^ | 17 July, 2012 | NA

[marktwain]

THIBODAUX – Maybe it was the weight of things in his pants that caused them to sag enough to get a policeman’s attention.

A 16-year-old was walking in the middle of the road with his pants drooping below his underwear when an officer approached him.

Police said the officer several times told the teen to take his hands out of his sagging pants and hold his hands up. He refused, so the officer did a pat down, allegedly finding a handgun and five bags of marijuana.

That’s when the boy tried to run but pants falling down his legs made that a losing proposition and he was apprehended.

The teen was charged with Possession of a Stolen Firearm, Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana, Obstruction of a Public Roadway, Illegal Carrying of a Concealed Firearm, Illegal Carrying of a Firearm in the Presence of Illegal Narcotics, Resisting an Officer, and Curfew Violation.

He was also charged with violating the city’s saggy pants prohibition.

[Gandalf_The_Gray]

That guy in the middle looks like he might shoot you just because he doesn’t like the way you comb your hair.

Yeah, but the guy standing to his left looks like Bing Crosby.

Regards,
GtG

[Mr. K]

Pants on the ground

[Envisioning]

In the time of our forefathers, anyone "purposely" wearing their clothing in this manner would have been considered mentally ill or insane and locked up.

However, it is an immediate reliable "identifier" for the mindset, or lack thereof, of the individual you might happen to encounter.

[bigbob]

[Jack Hydrazine]

Droop, there it is!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YlgyS81O7kg

[Xenalyte]

What’s gun weed?

[Disambiguator]

[Kenny Bunk]

Right to Stop Him/No Right to stop Him?

Ping

[CyberAnt]

Hmmmm ..?? Can’t he be arrested for “failure to comply” ..?? The officer did say, “Put your hands up”.

[JimRed]

Gun + five bags of weed = dealer.

16 years old = slap on wrist and more street cred when the law’s through with him. Should’a been shot trying to escape.

[annieokie]

hahahahahahaahaha

[Svartalfiar]

Hmmmm ..?? Can’t he be arrested for “failure to comply” ..?? The officer did say, “Put your hands up”.

Right to Stop Him/No Right to stop Him?
Ping

First of all, the city has an ordinance that forbids wearing of saggy pants. Stupid ordinance, but legal. So yes, the cop is in the clear for stopping him for violating the ordinance. Next thing, the officer is trying to ensure his own safety, and not showing both hands/following reasonable orders is a bit suspicious. I would say a Terry search is perfectly valid in this case. And while I don't think it should be illegal for anyone (including a 16 year old) to carry a concealed (or not) weapon, it is currently illegal, and the weapon discovered was apparently stolen: (charged with Possession of a Stolen Firearm,). And then, of course, he tried to run, and failed.

[Kenny Bunk]

There is a case pending now in Orlando, in which officers asked a fellow for ID after allegedly spotting him and a companion jaywalking. They told him why they were stopped,

All hell broke loose, with the fellow refusing to show ID, then resisting the officers' subsequent attempt to cuff him and take him in, with the officers eventually using the taser 3 times to subdue him.

The controversy is over whether or not the fellow stopped for jaywalking had the right to refuse to show ID. Ancillary to that is whether the officers had the right to stop him at all. Incidentally, the man was armed and a CCW permit holder, but was not carrying his permit. His companion was armed, not a permit holder, and now faces gun charges. Neither of the accused jaywalkers attempted to use their firearms during the encounter.

In principle, many elements very similar to this case, except I doubt Mr. Droopy Drawers will attempt a civil remedy, as the Orlando alleged jaywalkers undoubtedly shall.