Cousins! Philadelphia City Council members have voted to pass a new bill into legislation that will officially ban folks from wearing ski masks in public places!
According to reports from The Hill, anyone seen out on public property owned by the city of Philadelphia will receive a fine of $250 and $2,000 if a mask is worn while committing a crime. The listed locations include school buildings, recreation centers, daycare, parks as well and public transportation.
Philadelphia City Council members voted 13-2 to approve the legislation as they await for Mayor Jim Kenney to sign the bill into law.
“This thoughtful measure seeks to create transparency, safety and decency in our daily interactions,” wrote on Instagram Councilmember Anthony Phillips, who introduced the legislation.
“Too many senior citizens expressed a sense of discomfort and anxiety over the past few years as ski masks became a serious threat to public safety.”
“City Council voted overwhelmingly to return both safety and power to citizens who want a more livable city where pride and civility are valued.”
City Council Member Jamie Gauthier, expressed on social media that she feels the new bill will wrongfully target Black men and that she could not in, “good conscience vote for something that I feel criminalizes and marginalizes young Black men.”
“I will keep working with my colleagues to ensure every resident feels safe moving about our city.”
Philadelphia police officials have argued that the wearing of ski masks in public has made it more difficult to stop crime, reports The Hill.
“Criminals have continued using masks to avoid capture, and it remains problematic, so the department fully supports the intent and rationale behind this ordinance,” Philadelphia Police Deputy Commissioner Francis Healy.
A lawyer for the ACLU of Pennsylvania says within in a recently issued statement that there is no valuable evidence that confirms ski masks encourage acts of violence.
“Public safety is very important and an understandable concern for the public. But there is no evidence to suggest that ski masks cause or encourage violent crime,” says ACLU of Pennsylvania staff attorney Solomon Furious Worlds said in a statement to The Hill. “Giving police the authority to stop civilians without suspicion of unlawful activity is unconstitutional.”
He adds, “If [the[ city council wants to address the causes of crime, a better strategy would be to put more dollars (and time) towards programs like mental health resources and housing assistance.”
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