Apparel Summit Targets Crime

In the wake of Tuesday's quadruple homicide in Dorchester, Mayor Thomas Menino unveiled new efforts to prevent teens and young adults from wearing inappropriate clothing.

Frustrated by the city’s escalating crime rate, a week ago Menino had demanded that stores stop selling T-shirts emblazoned with “Stop Snitchin’.” After the most recent tragedy, however, an angry Mayor, saying “clearly, we need to do more,” organized an “Apparel Summit” with representatives of the police department, District Attorney’s office, local field offices of the FBI, state police and lobbyists for the textile industry. The Summit concluded with a sweeping plan for clamping down on offending outerwear.

Under the plan, police and other officials will create a special “Togs Team” that will target retailers selling clothing that sends the wrong message to the city’s youth. “Butt patches, excessive bleaching, ripped or baggy jeans, double entendres on sweaters -- we’re going after the whole lot,” the Mayor said, citing as an example a shirt from Abercrombie & Fitch that says “Never A Silent Night.” “These clothes all encourage disrespect for society and the rules we live under,” he said.

In addition, the plan prohibits anyone under age 30 from wearing the offending clothing in public. Menino said that approximately 100 officers would be reassigned to locations where kids tend to congregate, such Faneuil Hall, Newbury Street, and Downtown Crossing. First time offenders would be forced to remove the banned article and would receive a $100 fine. Subsequent offenses could mean jail time.

Some merchants objected that the city’s new proscriptions could potentially make illegal over half of the products they sell. In addition, many parents protested that, because the ban applies to clothes their children already own, they would have to go out and buy new apparel. “Too bad,” Menino responded, “If I can save just one life by getting kids to dress a little better, it’s worth it.”

Menino also warned potential criminals of the possibility of even more drastic tactics. “If these new measures don't stop crime, then we'll go further. Pushup bras, bright colors, expensive athletic shoes, G-string panties -- there’s no limit to what I’ll ban. I don’t care if it means that the only thing everyone is allowed to wear is a suit and tie -- it’s time to make our city safe.