Even as temperatures drop and winter approaches, wearing a ski mask in much of Philadelphia is now punishable by a $250 fine.
That’s because on Thursday, during the last scheduled City Council meeting of the year, Mayor Jim Kenney returned Bill 230510 unsigned.
By not vetoing the bill, it becomes law, which, as the legislation states, is effective immediately.
The move bans the wearing of ski masks throughout Philadelphia in places such as schools, daycare centres, recreation centres, parks, inside city-owned buildings and on public transportation.
When City Council approved the ban last month, there was much debate about the intent of the legislation and which members of the community would be most affected by the ban.
Supporters of the bill, such as at-large council member Isaiah Thomas, said the masks are too often used in criminal activity to be allowed to be worn without some sort of legislative action.
“I’m all for trends and things that are cool for young people. Very supportive of that stuff,” he said at a meeting in November. “But what am I supposed to say to a parent when we’re leaving a basketball game and a child is hurt and there’s no way to tell who did it or why it was done?
“Young people, you have to take their jaws off,” Thomas said, punctuating his comments. “Seriously.”
But those on the other side of the issue argued that the masks were a choice of style, and that the ban would marginalise and criminalise young men across the city.
Solomon Furious Worlds, an attorney with the Pennsylvania ACLU, also warned council members at the November meeting that the ban could be deemed unconstitutional.
“There is no evidence that ski masks cause or encourage violent crime,” he told council members. “If you want to address violent crime, I’d suggest housing, food assistance, child care, things like that.”
In the end, the council passed the bill by a vote of 13 to 2.
Now, those who violate the new ban face a $250 fine.
And those caught wearing one while committing a crime will be hit with a $2,000 fee – on top of any other legal ramifications that may follow.
The move comes after SEPTA announced a similar ban on public transport.