Arcade enforces strict dress code

By Caitlin Nish

Daily Staff Reporter

Baggy khakis or jeans can be seen in Tommy Hilfiger ads or in University classrooms, but they are not permitted in Pinball Pete's arcade on South University Avenue.

The owners of Pinball Pete's have decided to institute a dress code for patrons of the arcade.

With the arcade attempting to reinvent itself as a more family-oriented entertainment center, the dress code was established to guard against students wearing gang-related clothing or paraphernalia.

A sign on the entrance reads that no hats, no bandannas, no sleeveless shirts and no baggy or loose-fitting clothing are allowed in the arcade.

"The owners have been in business for 20 years at least, and they have seen some of the arcades go out of business because of kids who take over the place, who make it their turf," said a Pinball Pete's employee who asked that his name not be printed.

"If we weren't so close to Detroit, we might not have that rule at all. But it's on

people's minds, especially those of families ... We experimented with not enforcing these rules and things tended to get out of hand. Strictness is absolutely necessary because things can get way out of control," he said.

The employee added it is sometimes difficult to enforce the rules, specifically the restriction on baggy pants.

One arcade patron said most students have recognized the dress code and abide by it because the employees at Pinball Pete's were lenient about the pants code.

"The baggy pants they let slide, but the hats, sometimes they make you turn them straight or backwards. You can't wear bandannas or any gang paraphernalia at all," said the patron, who goes by the name "Shotgun."

While gang-related clothing may not seem a problem for the University or the campus, Department of Public Safety spokeswoman Diane Brown said there have been minor gang-related incidents in the past. "We have had some graffiti periodically and some minor incidents over the years."

She added that graffiti incidents occur less than once per semester.

But, Brown said, DPS officers do receive periodic training in how to spot gang-related items similar to those prohibited from Pinball Pete's.

Finn Jensen, the manager of Pinball Pete's, said the rule outlawing bandannas was formed specifically to guard against gangs.

"The bandanna rule is definitely trying to deter gang behavior," he said.

He added that the rules are helping to make it easier for the game hall to attract families with a larger and brighter facility and more games for young children."

"The days of the dirty, old arcade are gone," Jensen said.

While the dress code is unique in the way that it is deterring gang behavior, Doug Lewis, director of the University's Student Legal Services, said it is no different from the dress code of jackets and ties in many formal restaurants.

"You cannot discriminate against a person based upon age, sex, race or gender," Lewis said. "These are protected classes under the Constitution."

He added that clothing is not a protected class and therefore it is not illegal to enact a dress code in stores or arcades.

"The legality depends on how it is actually enforced," Lewis said. "On its face it doesn't appear to be unconstitutional, but in practice you have to wait and see what happens."

JOYCE LEE/Daily

Pinball Pete's on South University Avenue requires patrons to adhere to a dress code in an attempt establish a more family-friendly atmosphere.