Almost a year ago, Albany city commissioners banned sagging pants. Since then, officials said they’ve handed out almost 200 citations and collected nearly $4,000 in fines.

City Attorney Nathan Davis said complaints about low-hanging pants have dropped in the last year.

“We don’t receive as many complaints at city commission [as] we used to receive, so I guess that would show [the ban is] working,” Davis said.

He said the number of fines and the amount collected surprised him, but it points to good enforcement of the ban.

The ordinance, enacted last November, prohibits wearing pants or skirts more than 3 inches below the waist, exposing skin or undergarments. First-time offenders face a $25 fine. On further offenses, the fine can rise to $200. The ordinance also allows 40 hours of community service to be completed in lieu of fines.

The cities of Dublin and Cordele have similar bans.

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