Gary kids are taking things into their own hands, saying saggy pants are going to be banned in the coming year.

GARY — Youths wearing pants low enough that their underwear can be seen could be required to perform community service in the future.

On Dec. 17, the Gary Youth Council finished up discussing what it would like to see in an ordinance that could be presented to the city council by early February. The discussion might also have made youths more aware of their local government and the Gary Youth Council.

Council Vice President Ron Brewer said after the city’s law department finishes crafting the proposed ordinance, he expects it to be presented to the council, which he expects will then refer it to committee for discussion and any changes, which could include making it apply to adults. He said the council then may vote on a final ordinance in late February.

“It could come back in late February,” Brewer said. “It depends on how many changes (are made) and if they can be done in a timely manner.”

The Gary Youth Council only dealt with what members think an ordinance should include when in comes to people under the age of 18. Council members agreed that it should only be applicable to those who wear sagging pants in public, which could include streets and sidewalks and other places of public accommodation, such as restaurants.

“I think anywhere that is not private essentially,” said Youth Council President Da’Ione Fields.

Brewer said he would like the ordinance expanded to include adult men and women who wear sagging pants. He also thinks the ordinance should include a potential fine when it comes to adults, although he indicated just a warning should be given initially. Brewer and Youth Council members were against any criminal charges, or jail time, being imposed on violators.

The ordinance also will supposedly define exactly what is meant by sagging pants. Brewer said his definition would be if underpants or “natural bottom” can be seen.

Young people found violating the proposed ordinance could potentially be referred by a school administrator or law enforcement authority to a Gary Youth Court, which is still being formed. The youth court could potentially impose a punishment ranging from writing an apology or essay to community service.

Fields said those who didn’t want to abide by the youth court’s punishment would be referred back to the person who made the referral to the youth court. He believes most young people favor of the ordinance. He overheard a conversation the other day where a student was saying to someone that “You better pull up your pants before you get a ticket.”

“So there’s been a lot of sarcasm going on, but I think that’s positive because now you know what your local government is trying to pass,” Fields said. “I think this in so many ways is pulling the youth in because they are saying, ‘What’s that council that’s talking about the sagging pants?’ and we say we’re the youth council. So that’s how we’re drawing them in.”