We all want this to resolve in a positive way, she said, noting she hopes the incident sparks conversation about police reform and real policing that uses empathy to police our community.. Moments later, a neighbor awoken by the yelling can be heard telling police that Khalif was the store owner. At the 10-minute mark, Madfes chimes in again: Prove to us you have keys or , There you go, thats the perfect thing, Blasi says as Khalif removes something from his pocket. After Floyds death and ahead of a peaceful June 2 protest in Marin City, Cronin sparked outrage among the community after he issued a statement warning residents to be wary should the demonstration become violent or lead to looting on the Tiburon Peninsula neither of which happened. Thats all we want to know, Blasi says. About 6 minutes of cellphone footage of the encounter with the supervisor, Tiburon police Sgt. Pac-12 media rights: Our (final) predictions for the revenue, media partners, expansion decisions and more, Denver gang member gave 14-year-old permission to open fire on woman with AR-15 after fender-bender, DA alleges, In 4 years, Lori Lightfoot went from breakout political star to divisive mayor of a Chicago beset by pandemic and crime, Florida lawmakers to consider expansion of so-called dont say gay law, Drone crashes at Disneyland after hovering over visitors heads See video, Rapper Travis Scott wanted for assaulting Manhattan club sound engineer, destroying $12K in equipment, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. This street closes at 9 oclock at night, and theres never anybody in here. To the right in the video, a mannequin frequently is in view, just feet from Khalif, who has approached the door dressed in identical clothing distinctive, African-inspired athletic-leisurewear. Chanis said neither Cronin nor Blasi are able to comment due to the pending investigation. Supervisor and another cop - who had his hand on his gun, by the way, showed up almost immediately. Your email address will not be published. The former chief, Michael Cronin, retired in September after a public backlash over an incident involving two Black store owners. The protest, which featured a diverse array of Black speakers in the community, including Marin residents Paul Austin and Amber Allen-Peirson, called for police reformation, community reparations, and institutionalized changes to prevent further racial profiling. A patrol officer saw people in the store at 1 a.m. and questioned why they were there. What is it that theyre fearing?. Although Ryan Monaghan was not my choice, Im looking forward to working with him to find out what his plans are for community policing, diversity and inclusion, and hiring and promotion within the department, he said. This isnt regular business hours, theres no customers in here. At the conclusion of the investigation the report will be provided to the Town Manager for review and appropriate action will be taken based on the findings of the investigator, Cronin said. She said that included conversations about how police officers can re-examine their implicit biases and eliminate their own fear on the job. She said that included conversations about how police officers can re-examine their implicit biases and eliminate their own fear on the job. Town Manager Greg Chanis said he chose the date to " coincide with his military anniversary in 1966.". The people in the store included co-owners Yema Khalif and Hawai Awash, the only Black store owners in town. What is it that theyre fearing?. "There's three Black people in the store, what's the problem?" One of the. The pension benefit was split because of a divorce. Monaghans collaborative approach and demonstrated commitment to creating meaningful community engagement really set him apart from other candidates, Chanis said. In the footage, Madfes is seen walking through Fountain Plaza toward the store and can be heard reporting one BMA, one BFA one Black male adult and one Black female adult which he corrects to three people, two Black males, as he gets closer. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Blasi begins asking the same questions as the first officer, including what the three were doing there late at night. He did not comment on whether officers will face disciplinary actions pending the outcome of the investigation. Blasi offered, and the town has accepted, his voluntary resignation." Were here because we love Tiburon, and we know that Tiburon loves us back, Awash said. Is it your store that's all we want to know? Then show me that its your store, said the officer. The newly released body-cam footage appears to highlight this further, with clearer audio than the cellphone footage that also shows a stark contrast between Blasis demeanor and that of Madfes, who speaks calmly throughout the first half of the video while Blasi then frequently shouts over Khalif and tells him he should be grateful. Other business owners have come forward to say that on the rare occasions they work late into the night, they've never been stopped and questioned at all, while Khalif was not only interrogated, Madfes had already called for backup before he first knocked on the door. We all want this to resolve in a positive way, she said, noting she hopes the incident sparks conversation about police reform and real policing that uses empathy to police our community.. He said he was surrounded by officers who told him they were responding to a call about a person touching peoples cars.. ", In the video you can hear the supervisor say, "You should be grateful that we're being as diligent as we are to look out for the street, that's all we do.". September 8, 2020 / 7:45 PM Despite resigning, Blasi will cooperate with an independent investigation led by a lawyer the town retained, Chanis said. Community members pointed out Cronin had only issued a warning for the protest in Marin City, which is 61 percent non-white, including 38 percent Black, and had issued no such warnings for similar peaceful protests in other nearby predominantly white communities, including Mill Valley. Then we see Tiburon police car patrolling. The heated exchange, which began shortly after 1 a.m. Aug. 21, was partially recorded from inside the store by Khalifs friend while his partner and store co-founder, Hawi Awash, stood back from the door. As a community, we need to demand change in our public servants when it becomes clear their own unrecognized prejudices can no longer allow them to protect and serve all residents.. While Tiburon Police Chief Michael Cronin and Town Manager Greg Chanis have ordered an independent investigation into the incident, the results of which will be reviewed by the Town Council, Cronin said neither Blasi nor the two other officers involved would be suspended or put on administrative leave amid the investigation. I want to know what you're doing in the store at 1 o'clock in the morning.". We welcome and encourage your thoughts and comments. I, kindly, explained that we didnt have to prove anything and asked for a supervisor. CNN values your feedback 1. Awash said other business owners work late at night and pointed to portraits of the couple that are clearly visible through the storefront window. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) A sixth Memphis officer was fired . Pac-12 media rights: Our (final) predictions for the revenue, media partners, expansion decisions and more, Denver gang member gave 14-year-old permission to open fire on woman with AR-15 after fender-bender, DA alleges, In 4 years, Lori Lightfoot went from breakout political star to divisive mayor of a Chicago beset by pandemic and crime, Florida lawmakers to consider expansion of so-called dont say gay law, Drone crashes at Disneyland after hovering over visitors heads See video, Rapper Travis Scott wanted for assaulting Manhattan club sound engineer, destroying $12K in equipment, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. Owner Yema Khalif said he was insulted by the officer's demand to prove he owned the store and feels Blasi would have behaved differently if he had been white. I opened our balcony door to Main Street, and I heard one of the officers saying, If this is your store, put your key in the door and prove it.. In 1999 the department moved into its current location at 1155 Tiburon Blvd. The department also updated its use-of-force policy to align with calls to de-escalate police encounters with the public. Scott Adams faces 'consequence culture' as U.S. newspapers drop Dilbert, Tom Cruise's 'ditching' of Suri showcased by Judd Apatow's 'co-parenting' joke, ex-Scientology exec says. Khalif and Awash say, however, that they shouldnt be required to repeatedly identify themselves to police to prove who they are and that they belong in town. Blasi] believes it would be difficult to continue being effective as a police officer in Tiburon. TIBURON, Calif. . Where do you live? Madfes says. I do not have any intention of removing them at this time, Cronin said. Sept. 10, 2020 1:17 AM PT. Before that, he worked as a police officer in Belvedere for about two years, and earlier he spent 17 years as a deputy with the Marin County Sheriffs Office. The Police Department and Emergency Operations Center are also responsible for developing and maintaining the Emergency Operations Plan for the entire Tiburon Peninsula. Im not going to answer your question. Blasi joined the Tiburon Police Department in June 2019. Khalif didn't answer the question, saying what people didn't see in the body cam video are the officers who had circled the business multiple times beforehand and had been watching them. Thursday the City of Tiburon and City of Belvedere held a joint virtual community meeting about an incident where officers questioned a Black business owner, who was working late in his store last week. If you have a problem, you tell me . A Black business owner believes he was racially profiled by police as he was filling inventory inside his store last Friday at 1 a.m. A Tiburon police sergeant has resigned following a confrontation with a Black merchant that critics say stemmed from racial profiling. "He demands to know what we are doing at the store at 1 o'clock in the morning and he wants me to prove who I am," said Khalif in an interview with ABC7 News. DeSantis coming to CA as new poll shows him leading Trump, Ice flies off SUV, smashing windshield: 'You could kill somebody'. Based on this belief, Sgt. Would dismantling Interstate 980 repair damage to Black neighborhoods? Henry Ty McGowan. Criminal-law experts and civil-liberties organizations say there is no requirement to produce identification even when detained unless youre operating a motor vehicle, which requires state-issued certification, or you have been arrested or booked for a crime. He doesn't believe that would have happened if he was white. TIBURON, Calif. (KGO) -- A Black business owner is speaking out after Tiburon police demanded proof he was the store's owner. In the post. To be fair, some more than others.. We saw him drive around the block like 3 times. There's video of the interaction and an investigation underway. All Rights Reserved. "I didn't see anything racist that the policemen said to those fine people. Cronin said he wasnt aware of Blasis involvement in the Grime case when the department hired him last year. After a few minutes, Blasi and another officer arrived, which is when the interaction starts being recorded. I think right now everybody should get involved just because, whats going on in the country; the climate and everything. Theyre the ones with the guns, theyre the ones with the badge, theyre the ones with the authority, she said. At the conclusion of the investigation the report will be provided to the Town Manager for review and appropriate action will be taken based on the findings of the investigator.". Khalif said he was wearing the same outfit as the mannequin he was standing next to while talking to police from the doorway. After it was over I was shaking, Awash said. However, he believes it would be difficult to continue being effective as a police officer in Tiburon.. I cannot fathom how that could happen. @shaunking @beyonce @chakabars @lauraharrier @buzzfeed @nowthisnews @aljazeeraenglish @cnn @bbcnews @latimes @nytimes @wsj @ava @shondarhimes @kuz @kingjames @oprah @voguemagazine @essence @adutakech @tiffanyhaddish, A post shared by YEMA (@yemacalif) on Aug 21, 2020 at 3:33pm PDT. In the incident, which was recorded on video, two Tiburon officers and a Belvedere officer pressed Yema Khalif and Hawai Awash to identify themselves after seeing them in their clothing shop at 1 a.m. Khalif claimed racial profiling, which the officers denied. I think the town owes the police an apology, Joyce Wells said. Cause you dont sound like youre very grateful. Based on this belief, Sgt. VIDEO: Man fired after blocking Latino man from entering his own apartment building in SF. Khalif begins speaking over the officer when Awash appears to say, OK baby? but Khalif tells her No, no and again asks the officer if theres a problem. Video shows the interaction between the store owner and the police supervisor, who demanded, "I want to know what you're doing in the store at 1'oclock in the morning.". In our 50th year serving Tiburon, Belvedere & Strawberry. Khalif posted the video to Instagram. said Yema Khalif in a video his friend took. You know what, put the key in the door and were outta here., Khalif is seen picking through his keys as he tells Blasi to stand back and not raise his voice at him: Just chill and Ill put my key in the door., Before he can, neighbor Ken Simpson, a part-time resident of a Main Street apartment, yells down twice, Thats his store.. The town announced Blasis resignation on Tuesday. The incident was recorded by Yema Khalifs wife and business partner Hawi Awash from inside their clothing store Yema on Main Street around 1 a.m. Friday. ", Others responded with different views, saying that officers were just doing their job. Is it your store? Khalif said he was racially profiled in February while searching for business license documents in his car in the Town Hall parking lot. today at a #BlackLivesMatter rally in response to a standoff in which Sgt. Thats when we knew he had already called for back up. While he doesnt initially identify himself, the footage shows Madfes begin by asking, in a seemingly friendly tone, Hey guys, Ive never seen you open this late you just restocking?. Madfes says there isnt, but that hes never seen anyone in the store so late. Comment at the meeting, or in advance by emailing comments@townoftiburon.org. David Zalubowski/AP. Ryan Monaghan, who has worked at the San Mateo department for 27 years, will start the new job on April 5. On the night of the alleged racial profiling incident, Khalif, his wife, and a business friend, all of whom are Black, were at their store late at night counting inventory, according to a post on YEMAs Instagram account. It sounded like a fist-fight was going to happen, Simpson said. Maegan Hall, the female officer at the center of the scandal, has been fired, city officials said. Really? Fredericks said Cronin is planning a department-wide racial-bias training for late next month, which has been in the works since the George Floyd killing in Minneapolis in May, which led to widespread protests and mounting calls to end racial injustice and police brutality. Tiburon police records show that no one called police about suspicious activity at the store, and no alarms had been set off. There's video of the interaction and an investigation underway. I expressed to him that there was no crime going on and we were going about our business. Why would the police believe some white guy yelling from his balcony and not the Black business owner stating he owned the business? she wrote. Japanese Americans won redress for World War II interment camps, now they fight for Black reparations, Civil rights activist Roslyn Pope dies; her Appeal for Human Rights helped launch campaign of boycotts, sit-ins, Letters: Stone is wrong | Unnecessarily complex | Everymans EV | Coaching equity | No infrastructure. The shop owners filed a $2 million claim against the town. We are inside the store minding our business, All store lights are on and you can see us from outside because we have high windows all around the store. Monaghan has taught administration of justice at the San Mateo Community College District. When we hire police, the police chief makes a recommendation, but the town manager approves every hire.. Joined the Tiburon police records show that no one called police about suspicious activity at the Center of the that! 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Country ; the climate and everything tells her no, no and again asks the officer when appears!, Belvedere & Strawberry regular business hours, theres no customers in here why would the an! At 1 o'clock in the store included co-owners Yema Khalif and Hawai Awash, the only Black owners... Of a divorce theres no customers in here to the pending investigation a... 6 minutes of cellphone footage of the couple that are clearly visible through the storefront.... Shop owners filed a $ 2 million claim against the town Manager Greg Chanis said Cronin... Difficult to continue being effective as a police officer in Tiburon to from!, which is when the department hired him last year asking the same outfit as the mannequin was... Standing next to while tiburon police officer fired to police from the doorway police chief makes a recommendation, but hes! Some white guy yelling from his balcony and not the Black business owner stating he owned the?... 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tiburon police officer fired