“Hats off” policy seen to deter crime

REELING from the gruesome murder at the Central Business District, aldermen is moving to have full face recognition.

Councilor Joel Alangsab has filed the “Hats off” ordinance which mandates clients of banks, pawnshops, jewelry stores [or any establishment with CCTV’s] to remove their hats, caps, bonnets, helmets, facemasks, shades or pull their sweatshirt “hoodies” before entering the establishments.

Last month, a pawnshop attendant was found dead a few meters away from the Baguio City Hall and the Baguio City Police Office.

The murderer remains to be at large while CCTV footage showed the suspect covered with a face mask and a cap, making recognition difficult. The victim was found bound and her throat slashed.

“The proposed measure is aimed at suspects who hide their faces during crimes. Under the proposed

measure, a warning notice will be placed in the window or door of a business that caters to walk-in customers to allow their customers time to remove their hats, hoodies or helmets or lower their shawls or scarfs before entering. Although some establishments adopted the above policy, the City Government of Baguio deems it proper to institutionalize the same,” Alangsab said.

If the proposed ordinance is passed, it will be unlawful for any client to refuse the removal, surrender or lower down any headgear or device worn on the head whereby a substantial portion of the face is hidden or covered before entering the establishments mentioned in section 3 of this ordinance.

Alangsab defines head gear to be any hat, bonnet, scarf, helmet, and other items worn on the head whereby a substantial portion of the face is hidden or covered.

Establishments will then have to post and display at the entrance or door of the establishment the warning: “take off your head gear before entering”.

The implementing agency for the Alangsab law will be the Baguio City Police Office (BCPO) in coordination with the Permits and Licensing Division and the Public Order and Safety Division (POSD) both under the Mayor’s Office to ensure compliance and implementation.

Penalties will be meted to persons and establishments found to be violating the law if passed, the measure has been approved in its first reading during Monday’s regular session.