Could you give me the population of the town of Welsh after the last census?

Sure can, and then some.

The 2010 people count recorded the town as having 3,226 residents.

Decennial population data for Welsh from 1890, two years after its incorporation, to 2000:

1890 — 200.

1900 — 320.

1910 — 1,250.

1920 —1,456.

1930 — 1,514.

1940 — 1,822.

1950 — 2,416.

1960 — 3,332.

1970 — 3,203.

1980 — 3,515.

1990 — 3,299.

2000 — 3,380.

Census figures for Lake Charles from 1880 to 2010:

1880 — 838.

1890 — 3,442.

1900 — 6,680.

1910 — 11,449.

1920 — 13,088.

1930 — 15,791.

1940 — 21,207.

1950 — 41,272.

1960 — 63,392.

1970 — 77,998.

1980 — 75,226.

1990 — 70,580.

2000 — 71,757.

2010 — 71,993.

Online: www.census.gov.

Lake Charles passed ordinance about pants in 2007

Recently while shopping in a local store, I saw a young man walking around the store with his pants halfway down with his dirty underwear showing. Isn’t there a law against this?

An attempt to outlaw the wearing of saggy pants statewide died in the House during the 2004 legislative session. It would have created the crime of “illegally wearing pants below waist in public,” an offense punishable by up to a $500 fine and six months in jail.

Several Louisiana towns, cities and parishes — most recently Terrebonne Parish — have since passed ordinances to levy fines against wearers of underwear-exposing pants.

But the reader’s hometown, DeRidder, isn’t among them, though Lake Charles passed such an ordinance in 2007.

“It is the policy of the City of Lake Charles for all persons to be properly attired whenever they appear in public view on private or public property. Such persons are expected to dress in a manner that is neat and appropriate for recreation, school or work,” reads Section 13-14.1 of the city code.

“Pants worn by any person, regardless of age, should be size appropriate and secured at the waist to prevent the pants from falling below the hips and causing any indecent exposure of his or her person or undergarments.”

Penalties are a $25 fine for a first offense and up to $200 each for subsequent offenses. The measure also allows for 40 hours of court-ordered community service and counseling.

“Violators of any provision of this ordinance shall be issued a citation and subject to the civil penalties described herein above,” the ordinance reads.

“To this end, a violation of this ordinance shall not be deemed a criminal offense; and thus, violators shall not be subject to arrest, imprisonment, or other criminal penalty.”

Online: www.municode.com.

The Informer answers questions from readers each Sunday, Monday and Wednesday. It is researched and written by Andrew Perzo, an American Press staff writer. To ask a question, call 494-4098, press 5 and leave voice mail, or email informer@americanpress.com