A newly launched program in Richardson aims to strip robbers of their most common disguise.
City leaders are asking banks and checking stores to ask their customers to take off their hats, hoodies and sunglasses.
Bank robbers wore hooded sweatshirts and dark glasses to hide their appearance Friday at a Woodforest Bank inside a Richardson Walmart.
Keith Nelson, a Salvation Army bell-ringer said he noticed people with suspicious clothing leaving the bank and jumping over a parking lot wall.
"One of them had on blue jeans, a light hoodie, carrying a Lizzie McGuire back pack, and the other one had on blue jeans, a dark hoodie and dark sunglasses," he said.
Further down Plano Road, the Credit Union of Texas has posted signs from Richardson police asking customers to take off their hats, hoods and sunglasses.
"I think we would take a little harder look at someone who fails to comply and a little more diligent about checking their identity," said Bryan Durrett, credit union spokesman.
The credit union won't refuse customers who do not comply, but employees will pay closer attention to them.
"It's a good idea, but I think they're going to have to post somebody there and say, 'Look, this is what you have to do: Take off your hat, and pull your hoodie down,'" credit union customer Joyce Mena said.
"I don't see anything wrong with it," customer Tony Box said. "If you go inside, it's dark; you don't have your sunglasses on in there anyway."
But Wesley Sims, another customer, said he thought the policy was "a little ridiculous."
"They just need to make security a little bit better, don't you think?" he said. "I mean, if they wear glasses, hats and hoodies, that don't necessarily mean they're going to rob the place."
Lewisville and other cities around the country are also advocating similar voluntary programs.
Comments (5)
Post a Comment