By Two Mississippi Gulf Coast banks announced Monday a new security policy banning hats, hoods and sunglasses for customers entering the banks starting Friday.
"We are instituting this policy to improve security for our employees and customers alike," said Chevis C. Swetman, Peoples Bank president and CEO, in a written statement Monday. "We want to see your smiling face when you walk into our branches, so we can recognize you and say hello."
Customers will be asked to remove hats, hoods and sunglasses, and notice of the policy will be posted at the front door of all bank branches, a news release stated.
A Hancock Bank news release said it too is enacting the ban and said other banks on the Mississippi Gulf Coast will be doing the same.
"Designed to enhance customer and employee safety and discourage criminal activity, the program developed from a three-month cooperative effort among area bank security managers and law enforcement. In states and cities with similar programs, bank robberies have dropped significantly," the Hancock Bank news release said.
According to the Peoples Bank statement, the measure was developed with the cooperation of local law enforcement and will help authorities identify people who enter and leave bank branches.
"We feel that being proactive in this regard may help avoid potentially dangerous situations inside our branches," Swetman said. "This policy has been implemented by many banks in other states, and we anticipate that it will be adopted by virtually all banks in this area, especially since it is encouraged by city police and county sheriff's departments."
The new security measure follows a string of Gulf Coast bank robberies that started in March. Since then, eight Jackson County banks have been robbed, including the two Peoples Bank branches in Jackson County.
The Gautier branch was robbed March 7 and its Ocean Springs branch on June 20.
Reporter Amber Craig can be reached at acraig@themississippipress.com or 228-934-1428.
