"Pull Your Pants Up" Campaign Expands to Girls

Dallas Mayor Pro Tem Dwaine Caraway is at it again -- launching a campaign to get young men to "pull their pants up."

But this time, city leaders also have a message for young women.

"We have to try to send a dual message out to say to the young ladies ... tighten it up," Caraway said. "Don't have to show just every single thing. Keep it a secret for a while."

In the next week, 22 billboards will pop up throughout Dallas with the "Pull 'Em Up" and "Keep It a Secret" messages. ClearChannel Outdoor is donating the signs.

Local actress Irma P. Hall, better known as "Big Mama" from the movie "Soul Food," will be on each of the billboards.

But on the streets, the new campaign has mixed reviews.

"I believe it's a good idea," 20-year-old Camilia Williams said. "But I also feel if I totally agree with it that I'd be contradicting myself because I do reveal myself at times, too. But there's also a certain time and a place when you do that -- like if I'm going out on the weekend to a club."

Dway Francis, 25, supports the new campaign. He said he thinks women might be better protected from crimes if they dress modestly.

"A lot of women wouldn't be getting raped, I think."

This is second time in two years that Caraway has launched an anti-sagging campaign. Many say it's working.

"We're seeing a difference," Dallas City Councilman Jerry Allen said. "'Keep it up. Keep going with what you're doing' -- that's coming from the educators. So absolutely, it is making a difference."

But others say the campaign is a waste of time.

"They should be working on other things, instead of telling a teenager to pull their pants up," said Anthony Smith, 17. "That's my opinion. ... I'm gonna still do the same thing -- hang around with my pants down. So it ain't gonna change nothing."