Facing Crime Surge, NYC Mayor Tells Storeowners To Ban Face Masks

In 2020, City Dems repealed a law prohibiting facemasks in public

Eric Adams, the New York City mayor (D.), instructed stores to deny entry to anyone wearing a mask to combat masked robbers. This is three years after Democrats overturned a city ordinance that prohibited facemasks from being worn in public for nearly 200 years.

“Putting out a clear call to all our shops, don’t let people in the store wearing their facemasks,” Adams spoke out in radio interviews, and referred to the New York Police Department’s latest guidance that shops should ask shoppers to remove their masks when entering a establishment.

Democrats in May 2020 repealed a 1845 law banning the use of facemasks in public due to pandemic. Andrew Cuomo (D.), then-governor, issued directives requiring masking. The law was not followed. The practice is being revived by city officials amid an increase in crime committed by masked criminals.

The number of burglaries, thefts, felony attacks, and other charges rose 22 percent between 2022 and now compared Police data shows that the number of shoplifting complaints rose to 2021. According to police data, shoplifting incidents increased by 45 percent in the past year. same period.

Adams stated that COVID-19 is being used by criminals to disguise their identities and shoplift or assault owners.

“And when you see these mask-wearing people, oftentimes it’s not about being fearful of the pandemic. It’s fearful of the police catching [them] for their deeds,” Adams said.

Jeffrey Maddrey, chief of NYPD’s Department, stated last week that companies should “make this a condition of entry.”

“We need our businesses to be proactive and do their due diligence. We need to make sure people are identifying themselves,” Maddrey stated.

Adams supported the draconian Pandemic Mandates and was present at this event in December 2022. This announcement represents a major change for Adams told New Yorkers will not be silent. Adams’s move to clamp down on crime is just one week after Lori Lightfoot, Chicago mayor (D.), lost her reelection bid.

“With the holiday season in full swing and cases of COVID-19, flu, and R.S.V. rising, we are asking New Yorkers to protect themselves and their loved ones once again,” Adams spoke at that time.

Adams and Bill de Blasio were both pro-pandemic strictures, which included sending letters unvaccinated FBI will have the teacher’s fingerprints.