New initiative for business safety in Fall River

January 22, 2016 4:27 pm

By Ana Bottary

abottary@abc6.com

@anabottary

Monirul Hasan knows first hand how frightening it is to be unable to identify a customer entering his Fall River convenience store. Especially after a masked man barged in earlier this month attacking him with a knife. It’s situations like this that have prompted Fall River Police to recommend businesses enforce a "no hat, hoods, or sunglasses" rule.

"That will have a big difference. You can see the face of who comes in here. You have to recognize them–who is coming and who is going. It’s good for us, better for our business," says Hasan.

Lieutenant Paul Santos of the Fall River Police Department says over 80% of all business robberies involve a suspect trying to conceal their face.
The hope is that these signs will separate a would-be robber from customers, sounding an alarm for clerks.

"So, they can sort of have the mindset that extra attention will be placed on them upon them right from the beginning because they are not following what the sign suggests," says Lt. Santos.

The owner of Papa G’s convenience store, Syed Zia, feels this type of signage will help businesses all over fall river.

"I think that will help. A lot of people are scared of the stores sometimes. You know, people come in wearing a mask or a hood. It’s a great idea it’s safe," says Zia.

In the winter, it’s common that people will be wearing knit hats. This rule is aimed more at masks and hoods that cover your face. Police tell ABC6 they are already in the process of making these signs. Once they’re finished, they will deliver them to businesses in the city.