A few weeks back, I was joking with a friend of mine in law enforcement at an agency outside of Bridgeport. I told him this time last year, a person walking into the bank with a hood over their head and a mask over their face would set off more than just mental alarms.

 

At this moment in time, a bank lobby could be filled with people who are masked up and hooded and not too many people, if any, would bat an eye. As we talked, my friend said it is actually a problem.

 

We talked about it some more and I did not give it much more of a thought. Recently, I was on the phone with Bridgeport Detective Brett Stewart. Stewart was working with me on trying to help solve a case of fraudulent use of a credit card with a screen shot from video surveillance.

 

We have worked for the last few years with the Bridgeport Police on posting individuals wanted for crime or questioning in relation to crime with video images. More often than not, the images are not of good quality. That, despite what the expert who inhabit social media with all the answers, is not the fault of the police or the city.

 

The images are what they have to work with from the business. It is what they use. Surprisingly, they often work. I would estimate close to 35 percent or maybe a little more of the cases end up getting a positive identity.

 

In this particular case, the image of a female was not good. I joked with Stewart that this would be a tough one, but that even with a mask someone may see something obvious that will help in identifying the suspect. That has happened before even with the worst of images.

 

As we talked, Stewart said in a matter-of-fact tone, “The masks are causing problems.”

That was twice in a month I heard the same thing from officers of two different agencies. I asked Stewart a little more and he said it was making an already difficult task a bit more laborious. With that in mind I called Lt. Detective Gary Weaver about the situation and, as I fully expected, he confirmed the latest issue created by COVID-19.

 

The facemasks are making solving cases with surveillance footage either a chore or sometimes impossible. In other words – advantage criminal.

 

“It’s made it extremely difficult. We have relied on the public many times to assist us with cases where identifying a suspect is an issue. Now, we have to rely on the public even more in some cases because they have masks,” said Weaver. “The problem is compounded right now with the weather because you may have a hoodie on, or a toboggan.

 

“Without really good images, it is always hard to identify someone, which is why the public has been such an asset,” Weaver continued. “It just makes it harder for them to assist us because a face mask hides certain characteristics people can spot.”

 

Weaver said his staff started noticing the issue in October. He said the reason for that is simple – and already mentioned.

 

“The weather changed,” said Weaver. “The good news with the pandemic is that people started being more compliant as a whole with wearing their masks, but that was bad news for us trying to identify individuals involved with or associated with criminal activity. There has been an impact.”

 

Weaver said one thing has not changed even with some people having a mask cover most of their face and with hoods up or hats on. There are still people who know that someone may be up to no good regardless of what is appropriate to be on their face.

 

“There are some people in the past that may have spotted someone suspicious, maybe trying to hide their identify, and they would call. Now, they may see something and just think it’s a neat mask a person is wearing,” Weaver said. “A lot of people still know something may be off. If they do, even if it is a person wearing a mask and they are just uneasy about something, we welcome and encourage the authorities to be contacted. Now, more than ever, if you feel someone is suspicious, call 911.”

 

Weaver said it may help counterbalance what is taking place.

 

“Criminals have realized the situation. In some cases, I think it is somewhat energetic for them,” said Weaver. “That’s where the public can step it up and help. We always appreciate their help.”

 

Hopefully, people can help out. Click HERE for the latest one that is unsolved. Hopefully, this can be the first of many you can assist on until masks are no longer needed.