Los Angeles clothes retailer chain Kitson mentioned it's banning prospects from carrying face masks after a collection of shoplifting incidents by thieves in disguise.
Buyers on the model's Beverly Hills location are prohibited from carrying face coverings below the brand new mandate so workers can "see the faces of the criminals," in keeping with a put up on Kitson's Instagram account. An indication within the retailer's window proclaims that "Because of the security of our workers & belongings of the shop, we don't enable the carrying of face masks."
Kitson mentioned it applied the brand new coverage after noticing "a disturbing development of people carrying masks to keep away from identification in varied conditions together with, however not restricted to, shoplifting, verbal harassment, and bodily assault."
"The masks mandate might have begun as a well being precaution however we imagine it's now being utilized by some individuals for nefarious functions," Kitson mentioned in a press release.
In asserting the brand new retailer rule, Kitson additionally took goal at Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, California Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles County District Legal professional George Gascón, who've inspired masks carrying.
"Eric Garcetti, Gavin Newsom, and Gascon are clueless what obstacles companies have to beat to guard their workers and belongings of their enterprise," the corporate mentioned. Kitson mentioned it can accommodate personal looking for prospects who do not feel snug not carrying masks.
The pandemic has led to an uptick in organized shoplifting, in keeping with retail safety consultants. Some retailers have even employed further safety to guard towards criminals.
Pharmacy chains have taken steps to guard merchandise as effectively, with some locking up beneficial, or more likely to be stolen items — together with cheap tins of Spam.