Clothing store bans face masks to thwart robberies, California owner says
_fitted.png "A California clothing store no longer allows customers to wear masks, citing an uptick in shoplifting and robberies in the area. (Screenshot from Instagram)")
Fraser Ross, who has owned the clothing store Kitson Los Angeles for the past 22 years, said crime in the area “has become rampant” since the start of the pandemic.
“People are coming in with scissors to the staff, saying, ‘Give me the iPad and the cash,’” Ross told McClatchy News. “I’ve been strangled and pepper sprayed, but recently the crime is unprecedented.”
But this crime is different than in years past. Face masks also let criminals mask their identities, according to Ross.
Prior to COVID-19 mask mandates, Ross said he could use security footage to help pin down a suspect.
“But here with the masks, you can’t really see the face with just eyes, and you don’t want to falsely accuse someone,” Ross said.
This, along with repeat shoplifters, prompted Ross to implement a new store policy, banning customers from wearing face masks while shopping.
“Due to the safety of our staff and assets of the store, we do not allow the wearing of face masks,” the business’s door reads.
For those who would still like to wear a mask in the store, Ross said the business can accommodate private shopping. He also added that the store offers curbside pickup through its website.
While Ross said the policy has generally been well-received, one customer took issue with it, asking if she looked like a criminal.
“And I said, ‘Well, you don’t look like a criminal when you go through security at the airport, but you still have to adhere to their security policies,’” adding that he wanted the policy to apply to all patrons equally.
The policy has gained traction online as well.
“This is genius. Small businesses, let’s start a new trend. No masks allowed,” one Twitter user wrote, sharing an image of Kitson’s mask policy.
“Should be everywhere in California!!” another user wrote.
Though Ross said some have called his move a “political statement,” he said it’s not about politics. Instead, it comes down to his and his staff’s safety.
“With this policy in place, I feel safer. I feel more at ease,” Ross said.
This story was originally published August 22, 2022 at 7:29 PM with the headline "Clothing store bans face masks to thwart robberies, California owner says."
