A store in California has finally had it with the mask wearing and banned them inside the store because too many thieves are hiding behind them and putting shoppers and clerks in danger.
Kitson department store in Beverly Hills recently posted a sign telling shoppers to take off the masks, according to The Blaze.
Fraser Ross, the owner of the store, had very particular reasons for the new policy. Criminals in masks are robbing them blind.
Ross posted a sign reading:
At Kitson we prioritize the safety of our staff and customers. We noticed a disturbing trend of individuals wearing masks to avoid identification in various situations including, but not limited to, shoplifting, verbal harassment, and physical assault. The mask mandate may have begun as a health precaution, but we believe it is now being used by some people for nefarious purposes. To that end, we enacted our own mandate of sorts. We do not allow wearing of masks in the Robertson store during regular business hours. Those people who wish to wear masks are free to set up an appointment for a personal shopping experience or visit our website. We also offer curbside pickup.
Ross added that there was nothing in the decision about politics or healthcare. It was all about theft as mask wearers were taking advantage of the masks to hide their identity while they shoplifted from the store with abandon.
The masks also emboldened the thieves to to act violently.
Store employee Santos Hemenway agreed with the new policy.
“This is not something we wanted to do,” Hemenway said, “but it’s what we have to do to keep the safety of our employees and our assets.”
“You have to have the awareness and understand the motivation, or at least the signs of somebody who is planning to steal,” he added. “I used to be able to be a little more lax, but now, you know, I’ve got to be on all guards. It’s definitely changed in the last year so.”
He also said that the masks helped the crooks thwart security measures and prevented employees and security from describing the thieves to police.
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