On Thursday, SEPTA officials announced its ban on the gear, saying they cannot be worn on its buses, trains, or inside stations.
The announcement comes after a 15-year-old Philadelphia high school student was fatally shot on a SEPTA bus in Germantown on Wednesday evening.
Authorities say the teen died after suffering a gunshot wound to the chest by a suspect in a hoodie who was wearing a ski mask, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported.
“Those face masks are prohibited on SEPTA property,” SEPTA Transit Police Chief Charles Lawson said in a press conference. “If you come on SEPTA property wearing your shiesty, you will be engaged by police. So I want you to think about it.”
Lawson said those passengers wearing ski masks would be asked to remove them or be escorted off of SEPTA property.
Lawson said ski masks are problematic.
“Masks are an issue. I’m going to be completely honest with you,” he said. “These full-head coverings are a major issue because we are seeing it routinely being worn in 80-degree weather in Philadelphia. There is no legitimate reason, pandemic withstanding, to wear a full head covering in public for anything.”
