In the video, Khalif can be seen wearing a protective mask and engaging with the initially maskless police supervisor, identified as Michael Blasi, who repeatedly asked Khalif to prove his identity as the owner of the store. Critics of Khalif say he was argumentative and antagonizing the officers from the start, and that he could have just showed his ID and quickly ended the incident. Another protest is planned at the Tiburon Police Department on Saturday. While K-9 officer Larry Holladay, Patrol Officer Patrick. OK, thats fine. Really? 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. "When I feel harassed and I feel targeted, I say it, and I say it as I see it, and that's what that was," says business owner Yema Khalif, who was with his wife and another person inside his business when he was approached by officers. 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. Theyre the ones with the guns, theyre the ones with the badge, theyre the ones with the authority, she said. On Aug. 21 at about 1 a.m., police officers confronted the couple, who were inside their shop. 2020 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. D, Tiburon, CA 94920 |. Khalif recalled saying, you came here because you saw three Black people in the store.. We do not need to prove to police that we deserve to be at our clothing store way past business hours.. When a police officer leaves their department because of misconduct, there's no easy public way for people to know if they're rehired elsewhere in law enforcement. Chief Michael Cronin is resigning after 12 years amid a blacklash over his handling of the George Floyd protests and a recent incident involving an officer and the only Black clothing store owner in Tiburon. The four fired men were Patrol Officer Juan Lugo Perez, Sgt. While the interaction with the first officer at the scene, who has not been identified, was not recorded, Khalif said the officer walked up to the door and immediately demanded to know what they were doing in the store at night. If they had just proved it was their business then that wouldve been it.. Marin City Matters member Paul Austin said Blasis resignation is a step in the right direction, but there is more work to be done starting from the top down. Then show me its your store, Blasi responds. We saw him drive around the block like 3 times. Blasi was hired last year by the department after more than 15 years at the Marin County Sheriffs Office as a SWAT team leader, investigator and gang task-force officer. A video depicting Tiburon police officers in heated exchange with the owner of the town's only Black-owned business while working late in his downtown shop has sparked outrage in the. Khalif: "If I tell you it's my store then what? Maybe because I am a blonde Caucasian, there was no reason that they cared to check on why I was there or felt the need to make me get out my key to prove I belonged there.. "Had that white neighbor not said anything that night, maybe Yema wouldn't be here with us today and I would let that sink in for a minute," says Hawi Awash. Lewis Powell, Sgt. FYI, we didnt realize that when he was circling the block he was calling for back up. I have been stopped for taking a walk to my house. Police officers in a California town have been accused of racial profiling after confronting a Black business owner who . Khalif said he was wearing the same outfit as the mannequin he was standing next to while talking to police from the doorway. Tiburon Mayor Alice Fredericks called their behavior unacceptable and issued a public apology, and she and Belvederes mayor each apologized personally to Khalif and Awash. One of our business friend was visiting us from washing DC so he came with us. In one response, Blasi explained that police are not able to detain a person without a lawful, articulable reason and compel them to identify themselves. On Thursday, the city of Tiburon and city of Belvedere held a joint virtual community meeting with all sides reacting to the incident. I do not have to show you nothing! replied Khalif. An autopsy found cocaine, alcohol, morphine, codeine and a Valium equivalent in his system, as well as signs of coronary disease that could have helped trigger heart failure, a pathologist said. He went through the normal background check, Cronin said. Belvedere City Manager Craig Middleton said one of the officers who was acting in a backup role is employed with Belvedere Police Department. ", 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.". What is it that theyre fearing?. Do you want us to look out for the community or do you want us to let anybody walk in here at 2 oclock in the morning and steal all your stuff? Blasi is heard saying on the video. Thank you very much, thats all I need to know, Blasi said in the video and walked away toward Tiburon Boulevard. Thats all we want to know, Blasi says. At no point during the 11-minute exchange did either Tiburon officer assert any potential criminal or suspicious activity was occurring beyond their mere presence in the building at that hour. Khalif said despite previous negative encounters with police in town, he andAwash said they love Tiburon and the outpouring from the community, town manager and council members has given them hope. Awash characterized the conversation as positive. Blasi stepped in and was recorded arguing with Khalif while the patrol officer and a Belvedere officer stood by. FYI, a popular restaurant close to us was still open and I could see their employees working late. Tiburon officials have selected a San Mateo police lieutenant as the town's next police chief, filling a post that had been vacant for six months. Grime died in a hospital two days later. Matthew Tom is a Homepage Editor at SFGATE. The Ark requested the body-camera footage, names of the involved officers and the full police report Aug. 24 and 25, but officials refused the request, saying they would not release any additional information until the conclusion of the investigation. In August 2020, Yema Khalif and his wife Hawi Awash both Black were in their store in Tiburon when white police officers approached them demanding that the couple show proof that they owned the store. The next day when I woke up, I was like, Holy s, what just happened?. "Just because you've never seen me here before I do not have to prove to you that I have to be here," said Khalif in the video. In 1999 the department moved into its current location at 1155 Tiburon Blvd. Blasi has responded to numerous law enforcement-related questions on Quora, a question-and-answer website, over the last few years. Laurie can be reached at (415)789-2805. Named among the state's & nation's best small weeklies, 2014, 2018-2021 California News Publishers Association &, Tiburon releases body-cam footage of police questioning Black merchant, About 6 minutes of cellphone footage of the encounter with the supervisor, Tiburon police Sgt. Khalif, who designs most of the companys clothing, grew up in the Kibera slums of Nairobi, Kenya. Tiburons Hank Easom was locally renowned sailor, After earthquakes, Tiburon resident seeks aid for native Turkey, Six vying for interim seat on Tiburon Town Council, Former mayor and longtime volunteer named Belvedere Citizen of the Year, Study details threat of water from below in combatting sea rise, Residents sound off, urge action at Belvedere coyote forum, Angel Island ferry to be states first all-electric short-run ferry, Angel Island honored for effort to turn historic hospital into museum, 2022 The Ark, AMMI Publishing Co. Inc. | 1550 Tiburon Blvd. Its unfortunate but I think good will come of this, Awash said. After Cronins exit, the town arranged for Undersheriff Jamie Scardina to run the police department on a part-time interim basis while a consulting firm recruited a new chief. Noah Griffin, a member of the towns Diversity Inclusion Task Force, said he was one of two African American members of the community panel that interviewed the finalists. A patrol officer saw people in the store at 1 a.m. and questioned why they were there. Cronin said he wasnt aware of Blasis involvement in the Grime case when the department hired him last year. Tiburon resident Nicole Wolf said she would like town officials to take it a step further and fire the officers in the video, as well as Cronin. Khalif, who has lived in Tiburon for nearly 10 years, and Awash are well-known in the Tiburon business community. An officers observations of perceived race, sex and age are standard when reporting in to dispatchers, as well as in logs and police reports. To be fair, some more than others.. Tiburon Town Council & Belvedere City Council Virtual Town Hall & Community Forum 6:30 p.m. Aug. 27. https://zoom.us/j/95644043303 or 669-900-6833, meeting ID 956 4404 3303. This street closes at 9 oclock at night, and theres never anybody in here. Second Lt. Caron Nazario, who is Black and Latino, is suing over the incident, claiming the two officers violated his rights guaranteed under the First and Fourth Amendments. Blasi will receive three months of salary from Tiburon as severance pay, Chanis said. First published on September 8, 2020 / 7:45 PM. David Zalubowski/AP. I still believe that the person at the head, Chief Cronin, needs to take some responsibility and do the same that Blasi did and step down, Austin said. The nearly 11-minute recording includes about 5 previously unseen minutes of the incident, which occurred about 1 a.m. Aug. 21 at Yema, the action fashion wear boutique at 10 Main St. owned by Khalif and partner Hawi Awash, Tiburon residents who are also the designers and models for the brand. Cronin denies his departure is linked to the incident. "This street closes at 9 o'clock at night and there's never anybody in here. 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. Wife of popular Wild 94.9 radio host JV says new information suggests he will not be coming back, Bay Area federal judge orders extradition of woman suspected of killing MSU student in hit-and-run, San Jose: Home raided as part of explosives and narcotics investigation. Maybe this happened to us because we can bring this out and make sure we have these conversations in our homes and with our families and loved ones and members of community and create something positive thats going to make Tiburon better for all of us, she said. This isn't regular business hours, there's no customers in there. Miss Manners: I shouldn't call because the phone scares people? Our store alarm did not go off, no one called the police, everything was peaceful. Doesnt the business owner have some responsibility for not complying, which also couldve de-escalated the situation? asked Reedlands resident Elizabeth Shapiro on Nextdoor. California Attorney General Rob Bonta launched an independent investigation Wednesday into the Torrance Police Department after evidence emerged that officers were sharing racist and homophobic . A virtual Tiburon town meeting was held Thursday night to discuss an interaction that took place over the weekend between police officers and the only Black store owners in the town. The supervising officer, Tiburon Sgt. CNN values your feedback 1. TIBURON (KPIX/CBS SF) -- The police chief of the City of Tiburon is stepping down , according to a report in the Marin Independent Journa l. Chief Michael Cronin is resigning after 12 years. , 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. Where people know me? TAKE ACTION: Find resources to help with equality, justice and race issues. It does not matter. Based on this belief, Sgt. Last night we had a not so good exchange with Tiburon police at our place of work. It was organized by Marin City Matters a social activist group created in response to police Chief Michael Cronins warning to residents on June 2 that Sausalito and Tiburon might be targets for unrest linked to a Marin City demonstration over the death of George Floyd during an arrest in Minneapolis. This is around 1AM. Davina Adjani, a protest organizer, said the might be postponed in light of the resignation, but that Cronin is still a problem for hiring Blasi despite the red flags in his past. Henry Ty McGowan. After it was over I was shaking, Awash said. In another post, Blasi is asked what kind of behavior can get someone in trouble with the police, to which he responded, resisting a detention or arrest and failing to identify yourself or providing ID when directed by an officer., He also says he wouldnt recommend anyone become a police officer in todays environment, citing media and social-media scrutiny, internet armchair quarterbacks evaluating every real-time decision (and) unqualified and incompetent civilian-oversight committees that are usually someones bulls political agenda.. 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.". 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. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. "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. Thats all we want to know, Blasi says. He was among 17 applicants for the position. I sat in on these interviews, but did not participate, Chanis said. Yema's wife says the officer had his hand on his gun. Awash began recording as Sgt. Blasi] believes it would be difficult to continue being effective as a police officer in Tiburon. Madfes says there isnt, but that hes never seen anyone in the store so late. VIDEO: Man fired after blocking Latino man from entering his own apartment building in SF. After the panel interviews, I met with each finalist for approximately 45 minutes to an hour, and then each finalist had the opportunity to tour the police station.. Michael Blasi was the supervising officer on Aug. 21 during the incident at Yema, a clothing store on Main Street. The video, which has amassed nearly 64,000 views on YEMAs Instagram page, sparked public outrage prompting a protest in Tiburon attended by over 200 people in support of Khalif and the Black Lives Matter movement. Simpson, who is familiar with Khalif, said he was concerned by the way the three officers were surrounding him, so he yelled down to confirm Khalif was the owner. As the town of Tiburon deals with a controversy involving the Police Department and a Black-owned business, Police Chief Michael Cronin announced on Tuesday that he will retire, according to. Create a Website Account - Manage notification subscriptions, save form progress and more. Is it your store? Awash also noted the tone of the officer, saying he came off a little bit aggressive and suspicious. She said he didnt identify himself or ask if they were working late. Khalif says he wasnt angry, just putting his foot down. It is clear that did not occur in this instance.. I fing live here, do not tell me about whatever, Khalif responds. It sounded like a fist-fight was going to happen, Simpson said. Khalif said Fredericks came by the shop on Aug. 24, two days after she had sent out her email statement extending her heartfelt apologies to the couple. TIBURON, Calif. . I cannot lie and say Im OK. Im traumatized and my wife is traumatized.. The shop owners filed a $2 million claim against the town. Then finally, the cop decided to come knock on our store door. Nearly all the comments expressed outrage with Tiburon police with calls to hold the officers accountable. Monaghan has taught administration of justice at the San Mateo Community College District. Blasi joined the Tiburon Police Department in June 2019. Khalif and Awash say they had already seen the car circle the block three to four times before it stopped outside the shop, where they say it sat for about 15 minutes before the start of the town-released body-cam footage and that they had anticipated what was about to happen next. Khalif was also a speaker at the 2018 Belvedere-Tiburon Librarys Pop-Up 94920 series. Would dismantling Interstate 980 repair damage to Black neighborhoods? Tiburon officials have released body-camera footage from the first officer at the scene of a late-night confrontation between police and Black business owner Yema Khalif, who asserts he was racially profiled when questioned at his downtown shop. Is it your store that's all we want to know? Dear Abby: Why do they imply my husband is a freak? Khalif, a resident for nearly 10 years, says hes been stopped while walking home and had to prove that he lives in Tiburon. Two Tiburon police officials, Sergeant Michael Blasi and Police Chief Michael Cronin resigned September 1 and 13 following allegations of officers racially profiling a Black store owner in Tiburon. A Tiburon police sergeant was found dead at the department's headquarters of an apparently self-inflicted gunshot wound, the agency said Tuesday. I look forward to meeting and working with the engaged community members, our town leaders, allied agencies and especially all our town employees who are committed to providing the highest levels of service to everyone who lives, works and visits the town of Tiburon, Monaghan said. The incident, early last Friday morning, is now the subject of an independent . / CBS San Francisco. In a year marked by the killings of Black people at the hands of law enforcement, leading to protests nationwide calling for police reform, the conduct of the Tiburon officers is particularly tone . Ste. All Access Digital offer for just 99 cents! Khalif and Awash said Chanis, the town manager, reached out to them after the incident, and the three met on Aug. 23. Madfes, however, again asks Khalif to put the key in the door, but this time Khalif declines: Thats your supervisor, he say you walk away, walk away.. Khalif then told the officers that they are are exercising unnecessary caution because there are three Black people in the store, according to the video. The nearly 11-minute recording includes about 5 previously unseen minutes of the incident, which occurred about 1 a.m. Aug. 21 at Yema, the "action . Khalif, who has lived in Tiburon for nearly 10 years, and Awash are well-known in the Tiburon business community. Nielsen met Khalif on a movie set and later helped him move to California, where he attended Dominican University of California in San Rafael, made the deans list all four years, was his class valedictorian in 2015 and was offered a full scholarship into its MBA program, where he eventually obtained his masters. Khalif said he was entitled to be in the store, had no obligation to identify himself and accused police of being suspicious because the store occupants were Black. Despite resigning, Blasi will cooperate with an independent investigation led by a lawyer the town retained, Chanis said. Were here because we love Tiburon, and we know that Tiburon loves us back, Awash said. 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. In the post. The investigation needs to go further than just this incident at Yema, said Adjani, a friend of the store owners. Michael Blasi, resigned in the aftermath. Blasi then can be heard asking Khalif why he is bringing race into the conversation. ", Others responded with different views, saying that officers were just doing their job. 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.". Then show me that its your store, said the officer. Before opening their Tiburon storefront, the couple started selling their clothing online in 2016. She said that included conversations about how police officers can re-examine their implicit biases and eliminate their own fear on the job. It first operated from 80 Main Street before moving in the late 70s into surplus military housing near its present site. On Aug. 21, Khalif issued a statement on the companys Facebook page explaining what had happened early that morning. 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It sparked widespread outrage within the community and prompted town officials to order an independent investigation into the officers conduct. They refused to leave until I proved it, Khalif said in the post. Early release leading to academic unsettlement for student athletes, Tam's emergency and natural disaster readiness, GSA Advocates for Gender Neutral Changing Rooms, Bolinas and Stinson Beach students face frightening commute, Tamalpais High School's gender and sexuality alliance. A 6-minute video of the incident was posted to Instagram and Facebook by Yema Khalif, the co-owner of the action fashion wear boutique Yema at 10 Main St. The county settled a lawsuit by Grimes family for nearly $1 million. 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. Put your key in the door and were out of here. Chanis said 60 people provided public comment during the four-hour forum. Tiburon Town Manager Greg Chanis announced the resignation in a newsletter saying [Sgt. Blasi was one of four sheriffs deputies involved in a wrongful death lawsuit after Cary Grime was arrested in 2003 for public intoxication in Novato. Khalif said he, Awash and a friend were in the store doing inventory when he noticed a police vehicle circling the block. At 1 a.m. Saturday morning, Tiburon police officers saw three people inside the clothing store Yema on Main Street and decided to check it out. Just seconds later, the interaction ended abruptly when a neighbor who lives farther down Main Street yelled from his balcony to confirm Khalif was the owner. Two five-member interview panels, one consisting of community members and the other of professionals, held two meetings to narrow the applicants down to three, said Town Manager Greg Chanis. Yesterday was one of those days. The confrontation led to a rally in Tiburon on Aug. 29 against racial profiling. Reporter Hannah Weikel covers the city of Belvedere, as well as crime, courts and public safety issues on the Tiburon Peninsula. "We are extraordinarily sad to report the loss. About 5 minutes into the footage, Blasi arrives on the scene, though Khalif notes that a third officer has also arrived a Belvedere patrol officer who is off screen but can be seen through the window in the separate video taken from inside the store and posted by Khalif to social media. Ste. At one point he stopped across our store for a good minute. Maegan Hall, the female officer at the center of the scandal, has been fired, city officials said. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. I cannot fathom how that could happen. Your email address will not be published. "I didn't see anything racist that the policemen said to those fine people. One of the. In a later interview, Simpson said he was concerned by the way the three officers were surrounding Khalif. In our 50th year serving Tiburon, Belvedere & Strawberry. The finalists were interviewed in person at Town Hall on Jan. 26 by Scardina, Public Works Director Steve Palmer, Community Development Director Dina Tasini and Administrative Services Director Suzanne Creekmore. He opened the store this past February and says it's not unusual for them to work late into the night. Some police officers have used digital media to brag about their racially violent exploits. A Black. Would dismantling Interstate 980 repair damage to Black neighborhoods? Khalif insisted that if he acknowledged he was the owner, absent the officers explanation of a problem, evidence of a crime or reason to doubt him, he didnt need to explain why he was in his own store after hours. There's video of the interaction and an investigation underway. A statement agreed upon by all of the parties to the lawsuit said that investigations by the San Rafael Police Department and the FBI concluded that there was no criminal conduct and no criminal violation of Grimes civil rights by the sheriffs office. 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.. Police Chief Michael Cronin said the town has engaged the services of an independent attorney to conduct an investigation into the incident. Even after the supervisor walked away, the officer who first approached the store said, "Can you put the key in the door please?". The footage does not appear to contain an audio record of Madfes calling for backup Blasi, as well as the on-duty patrol officer for Belvedere who overheard the call and responded as standard operating procedure, according to Belvedere Police Chief Jason Wu, were already on their way to the scene suggesting the backup request took place before the body camera was switched on. - Manage notification subscriptions, save form progress and more. ", The business owner tells ABC7 News, "I did feel racially profiled. Critics also note the officers finally left without the proof they said was required for 11 minutes only when a white Main Street resident who overheard the confrontation shouted, Thats his store..