North Hollywood LAPD asks customers to take off their hats

The Los Angeles Police Department wants customers in North Hollywood to remove their hats, helmets and hoodies when entering stores so business owners in an effort to prevent robberies, as part of a policy called "Hats Off!" which the agency began last month.

A Police Activities League furnished stickers, available upon request from the city, requesting customers take off their hats, helmets and hoodies upon entering the establishment. Detective Sean Mahoney said businesses maintain the right to pick their customers and may chose to eject shady characters from the premises.

“It gives owners a heads up. If someone says, ‘No. I won’t take my hoodie off,’ they’ll be better able to protect themselves,” said Detective Mahoney.

The pilot program, supposedly based off of an 18th century edict by King Carlos III of Spain banning broad brimmed hats according to a press release, will begin in North Hollywood, but Mahoney has big plans for the program.

“We’re hoping to get hundreds of businesses [involved],” he said.

North Hollywood has suffered 244 robberies so far this year, compared with 400 last year.

“That’s stupid,” said Sebastian, a manager at the Chevron on the corner of Laurel Canyon and Burbank.

 
The gas station manager would be offended if a business owner asked him to remove his hat.

 
“Imagine if I went into a restaurant and they asked me to remove my hat. I’d be like what the fuck? I’m still going to pay,” he said.

 
The manager of the Seven-11 next door to the North Hollywood LAPD Station Sayez Syed, whose store participates in the program, admits the policy upsets customers, but hopes they understand they’re trying to help prevent hold-ups in the area.

 
“It’s good to know the person can take their hats off so we know exactly what the people look like,” he said.

 
Sebastian didn’t think it mattered.

“People go to banks without a hat or anything,” he said. The manager puffed his chest out and stomped forward in place. “They just walk right in, not giving a fuck.”

 
Clarence Hicks-Ervin leaned against a shopping cart full of bags. He slouched forward while wearing a t-shirt and jeans. A pair of purple lensed aviator sunglasses rested on the bridge of his nose. He watched the stump at the end of his left leg crossed over his other blue jean leg. His “brother”, Homie UK, paced around the sidewalk behind him rapping into the air. UK wore a backwards baseball cap, black shirt and jeans. His face stretched backwards from the tip of his nose.

 
“I don’t think a robber would be deterred because they don’t care about signs. They don’t care about the security guards, cameras or signs. They already planned out what they’re going to do,” he said.

 
He thought the program was well intentioned, but won’t affect the number of robberies in North Hollywood. Hicks-Ervin said the program will help business owners recognize their customers, but could also drive some away.

“In the right neighborhood, well actually the wrong neighborhood, the program could kill their business,” he said.

The policy reinforces a negative stereotype about people who wear hoodies, in his mind.

“I walk in with a jacket, sunglasses and a hood on and purchase what I buy,” he said. “Even with the crutches, people still stare.”