STUDIO CITY—“Hats Off” is a new program being started in the two communities of Studio City and North Hollywood. The purpose of this new program means that if you want to patronize any store in this region, you’ll have to take off your hoodie, hat or helmet. This program has drastically reduced robberies in other neighborhoods and now authorities are taking it to these communities. Hoodies and hats are usual attire worn by criminals to hide their faces during break-ins and robberies. Although, the overall crime rate is down authorities are concerned about a string of robberies taking place in Studio City, according to the LAPD.

Hats Off Sign, A Campaign To Lower Crime

The Los Angeles Police Department is urging business owners to post the “Hats Off” sign asking customers to remove their hats and hoods before coming into their establishment.

The Studio City Chamber of Commerce is in support of this new plan. “Especially in this area, people wear hats and it’s their right to do so,” said Theresa Cameron, with the Chamber of Commerce. “But it’s also our business owners’ rights to protect their businesses. And if you are a little mom-and-pop liquor store and it’s late at night and you’ve got somebody walking in wearing a hoodie, I think they have every right to ask that that hoodie be removed,” said Cameron.

Local business owners within the area believe it could help possibly prevent crime in the neighborhood. “It’s a good idea,” said Ike Dzhragatspanyan. “I just don’t know about implementing it on a business like this. Like when somebody comes in and you say, hey, can you remove your hat?” said Dzhragatspanyan.

Meanwhile some other business owners also aren’t in favor of the idea. Some feel the image on the sign is just a little too disturbing for them. “Not my taste,” said Steve Teitelbaum business owner. “I really think it’s a little bit over the top. It’s more of a fear factor than it is a deterrent and I don’t like to scare people.” However, most customers seem not to be bothered very much by the new program. “No, I have nothing to hide. If I had something to hide then I’d be offended,” said Flo Reutter, a Los Angeles citizen.

“I don’t know about a string of robberies but if the police think it will help then I’m all for it. Anything we can do to help their jobs, difficult enough. I’m all for it. I’ll take my hat off to the police,” said Thomas Smith of Studio City as he removes his New York Yankee baseball cap in accordance with the new regulation. Not all businesses are on board with this new program. Participation in this ‘Hats Off’ Program is completely voluntarily and left up to the sole decision of the business owners on whether they will take part in the program.