A woman in Austin, Texas is fed up with all the hoots, hollers and other comments she gets while she's out jogging, so she's petitioning the Austin City Council to make catcalling illegal.

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According to THIS story from USA Today, street harassment is a big problem for Anna Alrdridge. So much so that she's petitioning the Austin City Council to make catcalling illegal, or at least at ticket-able or fine-able offense.

I've been known to hit the Cascade Trail a few times a week and run a few miles, and I've encountered women using the trail as well. Fortunately, I've not noticed a problem with guys (although I guess it could be women, too) making harassing noises, whistles and other catcalls. But, the trails I've been on don't take you past a busy street scene, where construction workers might be more likely to make a few catcalls at a female jogger as she makes her way past them.

That's not to say it doesn't exist, however. I'm guessing, sadly, it's alive and well here in Minnesota, just as it apparently is down in Austin. It's juvenile and demeaning, and no one should have to put up with it.

But I'm wondering just how catcalling, if it's deemed "illegal," actually be enforced. Will police now have to try to track down who made a comment or whistle they heard while outside in the vicinity of a female jogger? Will anyone who experienced a catcall be able to file a report down at Government Center? And, what happens to repeat offenders-- will they get a bigger fine?

Maybe she's hoping that the publicity surrounding the new law making catcalling "illegal" will be enough to get those morons who still do such things to think twice before they make another comment or whistle. But I'm guessing that's not exactly going to happen anytime soon.

What do you think? Should catcalling be illegal here in Minnesota?

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