FBI urges banks to crack down on shades, hoodies

MILFORD, Ohio (AP) — More bank customers in Ohio will be asked not to wear hooded sweat shirts, sunglasses and hats as police join the FBI in urging people to avoid clothing items that fit a robber’s profile.

The FBI is encouraging police near Milford to work with financial institutions in posting signs about the clothing advisory, which federal agents credit with reducing robberies in other parts of the U.S.

Police in Miami Township, about 10 miles east of Cincinnati, are printing and distributing the signs, which FBI spokesman Harry Trombitas expects to become standard throughout Ohio.

He said some banks and credit unions have been hesitant to display such signs for fear of alienating customers by appearing to impose a dress code. But he thinks that will change.

.Trombitas said that could come about as Pittsburgh-based PNC Bank integrates recently acquired National City of Cleveland into its ranks. PNC already has instituted the policy systemwide, including about 50 branches in Ohio, and will introduce it in National City branches when those are converted in 2010, spokesman Fred Solomon said.

“Most customers recognize that the policy is put in place to protect them and their privacy,” Solomon said.

Miami Township Police Chief R. Steven Bailey hopes to have the signs in place early next month. They will read: “For the safety of customers and employees, the Miami Township Police Department requests you Do Not wear or have these items in this business.”

The signage trend began in Los Angeles, Trombitas said. Police in Westerville, a Columbus suburb, were first in Ohio to print signs and distribute them to banks, he said.

Most bank robbers want to receive as little attention as possible and avoid leaving a good picture on video security systems, Trombitas said.

“Most of the time, they walk into the facility and quietly wait in line,” he said. “They really only want the person they’re robbing to know they’re robbing the bank.”

The signs will mean extra scrutiny for anyone wearing sunglasses and a hood.

“With this policy, they’re forced to make a decision — ‘Do I wait in line and remove the items and risk getting my picture taken, or ignore it and try to rob the bank wearing my bank robbery garb?’

“We’ve had bank robbers turn around and walk out and go down the street and rob a bank that doesn’t have that policy, so we know the policy works.”

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