Police urge banks to adopt 'no

The man who whipped out a gun and held up Chase Bank in Troy earlier this month could have come out of Central Casting. He was wearing the bank robber's uniform: a billed cap and shades, as well as a moustache.

"If you see a guy (in a bank lobby) with a baseball cap, dark glasses and a moustache (or) beard, it's probably a bank robber, not a customer," said Lt. Larry Faulkner of the Dayton Police Department. Faulker said the disguise is so common, he advises tellers to call the police if they simply see a man dressed in that manner waiting in line.

Fendi Replica Handbags The FBI and police nationwide are advising banks to adopt a policy of "no hats, no hoods, no sunglasses, no cell phones" to head off robberies. More banks are doing so, but in some cases the idea is pitting police against bankers concerned about alienating law- abiding customers.

Bank robberies have declined over the years, said Special Agent Harry Trombitas of the FBI's Columbus office, but the numbers could be even lower if more banks had the "no hats" policy.

"I'm not aware of any bank or credit union who have gone to that who have been robbed," he said.

But Chase Bank spokeswoman Nancy Norris said Chase doesn't use the policy in any of its markets because "we think it is too difficult to apply fairly and without discrimination to all our customers." Some people may wear head coverings for religious reasons, or sunglasses because of a vision problem.

"We would like to reduce bank robberies, as well," Norris said. "I can say our people are well trained and observant in what's going on in a branch."

The no-hat policy strips would-be robbers of their disguises, making them more identifiable to witnesses and on securitycamera footage. Robbers use cell phones to cover their faces, to take photos to case the bank layout and to communicate with accomplices.

Trombitas said 90 percent of bank robbers use the hats/hoods/ sunglasses disguise. They like to blend in with other customers until they reach the teller window, where they display a robbery note or a gun.

"He knows we're going to get a great picture of his ball cap as he's waiting in line," Trombitas said.

The no-hat policy "forces them to make a decision," he said. If the robber complies, he becomes more identifiable. If he doesn't, "he's now the rule breaker. Everybody's looking at him, which is exactly what he doesn't want."

A number of local financial institutions, including Liberty Bank and Triangle Credit Union, have used the policy for a year or more. In recent weeks, National City Bank's area branches have adopted parent PNC's no-hat policy.

"We believe it makes good sense for our customers and our employees," said PNC spokesman Fred Solomon. "We recognize that not every customer who comes through the door with a hat or sunglasses on is Damier azur Replica a security threat. (But) it helps to discourage people who have intentions to rob the facility."

Fifth Third Bank has considered the policy, but hasn't implemented it. "The greatest challenge is how do you enforce that?" said spokeswoman Lea Ann Stevenson. "When Grandma comes in with sunglasses after her cataract surgery, do you make her take them off?" Also, bank officials worry about their employees confronting possible robbers to enforce the dress code, she said.

No hats doesn't guarantee
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