City-Wide Ski Mask Ban Floated By Philly Councilmember

PHILADELPHIA — A few weeks after SEPTA announced a ban on full face coverings on its property, a Philadelphia councilman has introduced a city-wide ban on similar face coverings.

Ninth District Councilman Anthony Phillips Thursday introduced the bill Thursday.

The bill, if passed, would amend the "Public Spaces - Prohibited Conduct" section of the city's code.

It seeks to impose fines for anyone who wears a "ski mask or balaclava in any school building, recreation center, daycare, park, City-owned building, or on any mode of public transportation, including, but not limited to, buses, trains, trolleys, and subways."

Doing so will result in a $250 fine, per the bill.

Additionally, the bill includes a minimum fine of $2,000 for anyone who commits a crime while wearing a ski mask or balaclava.

There are exceptions to the rule in the bill.

The law will not be applied to those who are:

• wearing a traditional holiday costume;
• engaged in the celebration of a religious holiday;
• engaged in a trade or employment where they are worn for the purpose of ensuring the physical safety of the wearer;
• in a theatrical production;
• or protecting themselves from the elements while participating in a winter sport.

Phillips' bill is cosponsored by council members Jim Harrity, Curtis Jones, Kenyatta Johnson, Katherine Gilmore-Richardson, Cindy Bass, Quetcy Lozada, Mark Squilla, Brian O’Neill, Mike Driscoll, and Sharon Vaughn.

SEPTA banned full face coverings earlier this month after several incidents during which criminal were wearing ski masks and similar face coverings.