New York Mayor Eric Adams has issued a request to all residents around the city of New York. Adams is sternly requesting that all shoppers across the city remove their masks upon entering small businesses and luxury stores.
“We are putting out a clear call to all of our shops, do not allow people to enter the store without taking off their face mask,” he told 1010 WINS.
The city’s 110th mayor believes that asking residents to briefly remove their masks upon entering stores will help reduce crime. According to NYPD data, robberies increased by nearly 26% last year. However, recent data suggests that retail theft fell by 10% in February 2023 when compared to February 2022.
“We need to use the technology we have available to identify those shoplifters and those who are committing serious crimes,” the mayor said.
“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, and we’re really putting the call out.”
NYPD Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey has backed Adams’ sentiments, calling it a “peace offering” for small business owners.
“As a sign of a peace offering, a sign of safety to those store workers, when we walk in, we should take down our mask,” Maddrey said.
United Bodegas of America Spokesperson Fernando Mateo has also co-signed Adams’ most recent remarks.
“We’re not afraid of our normal customers, the mom and pops, who come in with a mask on,” Mateo said.
“It’s not unreasonable to ask for people to take their mask off so a security system can see your identity, and then you can put it back on.”
In contrast, Francisco Mata of the Bodega and Small Business Group has suggested that attempting to enforce Adams’ request may lead to more trouble for business owners.
“It’s a good idea but we cannot enforce it,” Mata said.
“What am I supposed to do? Ask every man, woman, kid who walks in to buy a juice to take their mask off? So, they take the mask off — then they rob me. How am I supposed to be safe? I have to make a living. What am I supposed to do, close up shop?”
