In the last two weeks, we've shown you vivid security footage of 2
armed robberies at grocery stores: 1 in Cayo, and the other in Corozal.
In both instances, the thieves employed makeshift face masks to pass
themselves off as legitimate customers.
And, true enough, it can be hard to tell the robbers from the customers
when everyone is wearing a mask.
During today's Ask the Experts Webcast, Attorney General Michael
Peyrefitte was questioned about the ways in which the abundance of face
masks are empowering brazen thieves. Here's that back and forth:
Dorian Packeman- Director, Government Press Office
"Could something be done about people with bandanas and rags as
facemasks? Criminals are using this opportunity to carry out criminal
acts and hide their identity."
Hon. Michael Peyrefitte- Attorney General
"Well, of course. It is rather disturbing. We had an incident up north
where two people were engaged in a robbery and they had a handkerchief
over their nose and mouth which hides a good portion of their face. We
are working on that. We are on that and I don't want to divulge too
much on what we are doing. But we are working on a way to try and help
that. I know for some establishments, some establishments are not
ashamed at all. One friend put on the establishment that I have a
business where I have to deal with people traffic. And my security
requires that when you walk into my place of business, you drop your
mask, face the camera so the camera can see who you are, put on back
your mask and then you can conduct your business. So, I would suggest
that all businesses do that who have to deal with the people. Require a
person to say, sir, could you please just drop your mask, look at the
camera, so we can see who you are, put it on back, so if you try
anything funny we know exactly who ran through the door because we have
you on tape. So, several people have been doing that and it should be
encouraged with people coming into these establishments with masks on."
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