The Jackson City Council has voted unanimously to ban ski masks in public.
A move that had the full backing of Police Chief Joseph Wade has officially come to fruition. The new regulation prohibits individuals from wearing ski masks, or “shiesty” masks, in public areas within Mississippi’s capital city. Wade previously contended that the apparent uptick in mask-wearing is partially in response to his department’s introduction of facial recognition technology in public spaces, a tech that is rendered virtually useless when faces are fully covered.
There are, however, a couple of exceptions to the new law. The ban does not apply to people who wear masks for health, employment, or religious purposes. And with Halloween nearing, trick-or-treaters will still be able to don their favorite costumes (even those including masks) for festivities.
Those found to have violated the ordinance, which went into effect immediately courtesy of the unanimous vote, could face up to $500 in fines and up to 90 days in jail. The fine is doubled and jail time is extended to six months behind bars if a person is found by a court to have been wearing a mask while committing a crime.
Masks were not the only topic addressed by the city’s regulatory body on Tuesday. The council also took on a prevalent illegal dumping problem. In a new ordinance passed by local officials, those caught illegally dumping are required to be prosecuted and given a 32-day jail sentence. The perpetrators’ vehicles can also now be seized by the city.
