‘Hats Off’ Or Get Out: Valley Stores, LAPD To Ban Headgear In Anti-Crime Effort

[The Northerner]

LOS ANGELES (CBS) — The next time you visit a store in the San Fernando Valley, you may have to check your hat at the door or take your business elsewhere.

KNX 1070′s Vytas Safronikas reports it’s part of a new anti-crime effort announced by the Los Angeles Police Department on Wednesday to deter criminals from targeting businesses in Studio City and North Hollywood.

The “Hats Off!” pilot program will post signs at nearly two dozen local businesses requesting that patrons remove their hats and helmets and pull sweatshirt “hoodies” from their heads before entering.

Under the program, a “warning notice” will be placed in the window of a business that caters to walk-in customers “to allow the customer time to remove their hat, hoodie or helmet” before entering, LAPD officials said.

Read more: http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2011/10/13/hats-off-or-get-out-valley-stores-lapd-to-ban-headgear-in-anti-crime-effort/

[Duer 157099]

1. Let's just jump to the retinal scan and get it over with

it's clear that is where this is heading

[HopeHoops]

2. Our banks have signs asking patrons to remove hats, hoodies, and sunglasses. I never do.

Not once.

[frylock]

7. my CU doesn't make those demands..

i walk in with my shades all the time as the tellers all say hi.

[Matariki]

8. My CU does.

At least at the downtown branch.

[MADem]

3. You can't get into an Italian bank without checking EVERYTHING into a locker.

No bags, hats, coats, etc. Nothing but you and your money, passbook, check, what-have-you. And you do it all under the watchful eyes of guys with automatic weapons.

No shoes, no shirt, no service has worked. I don't have a problem with this. Every time a joint gets robbed, prices go up.

[Gormy Cuss]

4. It's not a request if it's mandatory.

If head coverings are banned, the damn signs should say so - none of this "request" bullshit.

[mike_c]

5. presumably to facilitate surveilance?

:puke:

[dixiegrrrrl]

6. No hoodies, no sunglasses signs are on Dollar stores around here.

Since the anti theft cameras are in the ceiling, pointing down, that makes sense to me.
but I wear my prescription sunglasses into the store all the time, no one says anything.
I doubt I am the "target" audience that the rule is directed at.
Lots of small time crime increasing in our little Mayberry, btw..you can tell how bad the economy is by the increase in business and out-of-the-way house thefts. No stick ups tho, yet.

[hlthe2b]

9. So much for my all too frequent "bad hair days"

I live in baseball caps when I'm not working...I hope this doesn't spread nationwide, especially if they include females in that (and I presume that they would)....:shrug: