BANKS: NO HATS, NO SUNGLASSES, PLEASE

A security policy that starts Friday at several South Mississippi banks requires customers to remove hats, hoods and sunglasses before entering the building.

It's a sign of the times in response to a string of bank robberies, according to area bank officials, who said the policy can help identify bandits and is routine in some states.

Bank robberies have dropped significantly in states where bankers associations prohibit customers from covering their heads or eyes, said Paul Maxwell, vice president and corporate communications manager of Hancock Bank.

"In Missouri, bank robberies have dropped 47 percent," Maxwell said.

At least 16 banks and credit unions have been robbed since January in Harrison, Hancock and Jackson counties. Four heists occurred within 24 hours in April, when one of the robbers used an assault rifle to take hostages from a credit union in Waveland.

An unobstructed surveillance view of what bank visitors look like also can deter fraud and identity theft, officials said.

Signs to advise customers of the policy will be in place by Friday.