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It's no secret that women often get policed for their bodies as well as the clothing they put on them, all the way from elementary school dress codes to public outings as an adult.
For example, Casey of @kazzi112 on TikTok felt that her interaction with the Winnfield Police Department in Louisiana during a family-friendly festival was anything but justified.
Casey shared in a video that quickly went viral the outfit she was wearing when she was confronted by three female police officers, who issued her a citation for indecent exposure, which is a felony-level offense in Louisiana.
The outfit featured a high-necked crop-top that did not show her breasts or collarbone, only her stomach. She was also wearing short denim shorts that were not low-rise jeans and which also were not cut-off high enough to show anything indecent.
You can see the first video featuring the outfit here:
TikTok was absolutely furious on her behalf.
@kazzi112/TikTok
@kazzi112/TikTok
@kazzi112/TikTok
@kazzi112/TikTok
@kazzi112/TikTok
@kazzi112/TikTok
@kazzi112/TikTok
In a second video, Casey thanked the public for their understanding and support and said she was also seeking legal representation. She claimed she did not intend to stay silent during this time and allow the police to get away with this.
Casey also pointed out that when she was confronted by the police, she was sitting on a building stoop with her husband, ex-husband, and two children.
Her legs were together, so nothing would be revealed at the front of her body, and her husband was sitting behind her, which would have covered the back of her body, as well.
You can watch the video here:
In response to Casey's series of viral videos, the Police Department's reacted on Facebook with a public statement.
"Winnfield Police Department Responds to Social Media:"
"Winnfield’s 6th Annual Dugdemona Festival held on Main Street was an amazing success. However, recent posts on social media have had a negative impact on the service of our police officers during this family fun-filled festival."
"An unnamed citizen was cited for a city ordinance and has since taken to a popular social media site, blasting police officers. However, 3 female officers responded to various complaints about the person’s attire, and the person of interest was issued a citation under the city ordinance."
" The referenced city ordinance is 14-76, passed unanimously by the city council members on 6-14-2011, and is cited as follows:
"'It shall be unlawful for any person to wear pants, trousers, shorts, skirts, dresses, or skorts in any public place or places open to the public which either intentionally exposes undergarments or intentionally exposes any portion of the pubic hair, cleft of buttocks, or genitals.'"
"Fines range from $25.00 for a first offense to a maximum of $300, and the person may be ordered to perform up to 40 hours of community service."
"The citizen was given a court date in the Winnfield City Court, which is the proper venue to dispute any allegation. A citation, in lieu of arrest, is an allegation of an infraction, not an assumption of guilt."
"'We, as public servants, will not engage in a social media war with anyone or any organization, as it is improper and brings discredit upon this department. We also cannot comment on details of any case under investigation or pending court action,' stated a department spokesperson."[facebook https://www.facebook.com/WinnfieldPoliceDept/posts/7577380245637867?__cft__[0]=AZXj5otSbE-464ooxzV8WMf2K9wH_-4QLt7KiLxtGpvWUcwWFaceO1EPZ1wsCgWwJyT5KMFe3a3sCeVXPz2r8eZc8knvqDi6C6DNnKidd_lmsU-T64pzfF2vZmCzrAW2IpyV09AhlZZYd9SZ-rvAATfM&__tn__=%2CO%2CP-R site_id=17800991 expand=1]
In another TikTok video uploaded on the same day as the Facebook post, Casey pointed out that the Winnfield Police Department had made their announcement, but that she also now had legal representation in place.
Casey maintained her stance that she would not remain quiet during this time and would continue to fight the charges she received so that something like this would not impact her record.