Topeka mayor proposes hoodies and hats ordinance to reduce crime

Posted by Alex Parker February 8, 2012 at 4:07 p.m.

Topeka mayor proposes hoodies and hats ordinance to reduce crime

If you like wearing hoodies and hats and you like to shop in Topeka, you just might be out of luck if Mayor Bill Bunten has his way.

According to the AP:

Mayor Bill Bunten says he’s suggesting that the city allow a retail store to ask people who come in wearing a hooded sweat shirt or ball cap to take it off their head so surveillance camera can see them. Police Chief Ron Miller also recommended a similar measure to discourage robberies.

Topekans say the proposal is both “socialist” and “communist,” and one local business owner said she’d lose customers. Bunten said the problem is kids these days.

Customers like this may have to change their attire to shop in Topeka. by AlexParker

"I wouldn't have a quarrel with it,” he told KSNT. “Now, I don't have a hoodie and I don't have a ball cap, but if I did I'd take it off. Most people take their hats off when they go into a store anyway. Well, they used to."

Bunten told the Topeka Capital-Journal he's not proposing an outright ban of hoodies and hats, but wants to give stores the option to require customers to take off the items.

Brisbane, Australia, banned hoodies after a number of crimes jolted the area. Public schools in Allentown, Pa., briefly banned hoodies, and skinny jeans (“too snug for school”). Some folks in Colorado Springs, Colo., believe they’ve been unfairly targeted for wearing hoodies in stories. Stores in the Los Angeles area are requiring people to take off their hats upon entering establishments.

And 16-year-old Dale Carroll, of Manchester in England, was barred from donning a hoodie after he was found guilty of anti-social behavior.

Apparently, he and other local kids (hoods?) caused “mayhem,” which is a tall order for a young teen.

Manchester magistrates heard that Carroll was part of a gang who caused mayhem to residents of Collyhurst village in the city for almost three years.

The court heard he had attacked locals and once attempted to cut down a CCTV lamppost with a chainsaw.

The teenager threw fireworks at cyclists and at one stage pulled a person from their bike and threatened them with an axe. He also drove a car on to a pavement and down steps close to the Sparrow pub in Collyhurst.

Carroll of Cheetham, Manchester, was found guilty of anti social behaviour and was banned from wearing a hoodie or cap in public and from entering a large part of Collyhurst, including the home he shares with his mother in Manordale Walk.

He was also prevented from congregating with more than two people, except family members, and banned from possessing fireworks, axes or chainsaws.

The proposal wasn’t discussed at the Topeka city council’s Tuesday meeting, but Councilman Andrew Gray wore a hoodie to meeting. He said it was comfortable.

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snap_pop_no_crackle (anonymous) says…

A gentleman removes his hat when he comes inside.
February 8, 2012 at 8:27 p.m.
1. LadyJ (anonymous) replies…
  
  Well there's the problem right there :0)
  February 8, 2012 at 9:33 p.m.
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  suggest removal