Another South Jersey Community Tries a No-Low-Pants Law

By David Madden

PENNS GROVE, N.J. (CBS) -- Another New Jersey town is ready to mandate that people pull their pants up.

Penns Grove, in Salem County, is one square mile and home to about 5,000 people.

Mayor John Washington insists he's not pushing for a town-wide dress code just because Wildwood recently put a similar statute on the books (see related story).  Rather, he says, residents have been complaining.

The proposed Penns Grove ordinance still lacks specifics, such as how low those pants can legally go.

"I don't have to put inches in it, or whatever," says Mayor Washington.  "Everyone knows how to wear a pair of pants.  If they don't know, then their parents should teach them how to wear a pair of pants."

So, assuming this passes in Town Council next month, cops will be required to make the call.  Violators could face fines starting at $25.

Washington concedes that someone might challenge the regulation in court.