Then show me its your store, Blasi responds. "How can we do better as a community? On Thursday, the city of Tiburon and city of Belvedere held a joint virtual community meeting with all sides reacting to the incident. Is it your store? First published on September 8, 2020 / 7:45 PM. Khalif, who has lived in Tiburon for nearly 10 years, and Awash are well-known in the Tiburon business community. today at a #BlackLivesMatter rally in response to a standoff in which 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. If I tell you its my store, then what? Khalif asks in the video. 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 . Also sacked were Sgt. 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 couple was working late with a friend and business associate from Washington, D.C., Awash said, adding that its not uncommon for them to work late into the night setting up displays and doing inventory. I cannot fathom how that could happen. Kevin Hessel is The Arks executive editor. "We are extraordinarily sad to report the loss. Cronin said he wasnt aware of Blasis involvement in the Grime case when the department hired him last year. However, Linda Emberson of Tiburon countered. IRS delays tax deadline for Bay Area, but California hasn't followed: What should you do? The department also updated its use-of-force policy to align with calls to de-escalate police encounters with the public. I fing live here, do not tell me about whatever, Khalif responds. Khalif acknowledged several times that I want you to look out for my store and I want you to look out for my community, but he repeatedly asked the officers what activity, beyond his presence alone, was suspicious and required explanation. 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.. Khalif said he, Awash and a friend were in the store doing inventory when he noticed a police vehicle circling the block. 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. 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. She said she used to work for Frank Howard Allen Realtors when it had a storefront office in downtown Tiburon. 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. I stood my ground that day, but this did not hit me until next day, he said. Accountability for our actions is something that everyone should want, doubly so from public servants whose job is to keep us safe, wrote Nate Lee, a Tiburon resident. I confirmed that I am the business owner, but they wanted me to prove it. Whatever the intention of the responding officers, the interchange inappropriately deteriorated from helpful to confrontational, Fredericks said in the statement, adding that Tiburon officers are trained and expected to de-escalate situations such as these. On Aug. 21 at about 1 a.m., police officers confronted the couple, who were inside their shop. 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. Lewis Powell, Sgt. Tiburon Mayor Alice Fredericks told the Marin IJ she was not surprised by the announcement, but it came "a few weeks earlier than expected. 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. The incident, early last Friday morning, is now the subject of an independent . A Black man can not say that, but a white man can.. 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. 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. The investigation needs to go further than just this incident at Yema, said Adjani, a friend of the store owners. 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. Tiburon officials say an independent investigation is now underway, which is the reason why officers were not at Thursday's meeting. 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.. TIRURON, Calif. (KRON) Tiburon police sergeant Michael Blasi has resigned after video of the encounter between Tiburon police officers and a Black store owner raised concerns, according. 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. As Madfes approaches the store, Khalif, Awash and the friend can be seen inside at the checkout counter, apparently talking with each other. 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. I was not specifically aware of that event.. 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. Khalif was also a speaker at the 2018 Belvedere-Tiburon Librarys Pop-Up 94920 series. Again, Khalif says hell speak to the supervisor, but Madfes insists Khalif is required to give me a lawful reason why youre here.. Awash said other business owners work late at night and pointed to portraits of the couple that are clearly visible through the storefront window. Awash, however, said this is not the first negative interaction with Tiburon police; she said shes been stopped more than five times by another officer. Dear Abby: Why do they imply my husband is a freak? Blasi begins asking the same questions as the first officer, including what the three were doing there late at night. Some police officers have used digital media to brag about their racially violent exploits. A patrol officer saw people in the store at 1 a.m. and questioned why they were there. According to Khalif, the officer responded that he had already called for backup before Khalif made the request. The next day when I woke up, I was like, Holy s, what just happened?. Khalif: "If I tell you it's my store then what? 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. I sat in on these interviews, but did not participate, Chanis said. The video which has been viewed more than 30,000 times on the stores Instagram page and shared more than 750 times on its Facebook page triggered an overwhelming community response of concern and outrage, including hundreds of comments on online neighborhood forum Nextdoor.com. A Black. Awash was born in Ethiopia and lived as a refugee in Kenya before moving with her family to Minnesota. 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. A video depicting Tiburon police officers in heated exchange with the owner of the towns only Black-owned business while working late in his downtown shop has sparked outrage in the community. "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. She said that included conversations about how police officers can re-examine their implicit biases and eliminate their own fear on the job. The Black owners of a business in Tiburon have settled a racial profiling claim with the town for $150,000 and the establishment of a police advisory council. 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. In it, the officers, who first note that Khalif is in the store at 1 a.m., past the typical 9 p.m. shut-down time for activity on the street, can be heard repeatedly demanding that Khalif prove his ownership of the business, either by showing identification or putting his key in the shops door. Dear Abby: My wife said she doesn't like it, but it's part of my life, Harriette Cole: I don't want the neighbor's kids at my house, Ask Amy: I feel guilty for not speaking up about my co-worker's activities, Ask Amy: I'm your cabin housekeeper, and you apparently have no idea what I do. Their pictures are even on the store's walls. 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. Cause you dont sound like youre very grateful. 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 . In these conversations, Sergeant Blasi expressed his love for Tiburon and described the deep connection he developed during his time serving the community, Chanis wrote in a message to residents. Thank you sir, thats all I needed to know. Theyre the ones with the guns, theyre the ones with the badge, theyre the ones with the authority, she said. Miss Manners: I shouldn't call because the phone scares people? The argument continued for a few more minutes, with both Blasi and Khalif raising their voices. Blasi stepped in and was recorded arguing with Khalif while the patrol officer and a Belvedere officer stood by. In our 50th year serving Tiburon, Belvedere & Strawberry. The pension benefit was split because of a divorce. Yema Khalif, the only Black store owner in Tiburon, speaks out in front of the police dept. That seemed to satisfy the officers, and they promptly left without the proof they had demanded for roughly 10 minutes. Monaghans starting annual salary is $195,000, which is 3% less than Cronins salary, Chanis said. The Tiburon Police Department has 12 sworn officers and four other employees, plus volunteer and reserve officers. She stressed the importance to use the incident as a learning step.. Michael Blasi arrived and an officer asked her husband to take his hands out of his pockets. Really? The supervisor demanded Khalif put his key in the door to prove ownership when a neighbor shouted at police identifying him. 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.. 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. 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. Other downtown business owners rallied around the couple, saying theyve never been questioned by police while working late into the evening, past closing time, including Chelsea Ialeggio, a real-estate agent who said she has had offices in town with both Frank Howard Allen and now at Vanguard Properties. Based on this belief, Sgt. TIBURON, Calif. (KGO) -- On Thursday night, a four-hour, heated virtual community meeting took place over an incident that happened in the small North Bay city of Tiburon, California. Im not going to answer your question. And he wanted us to prove who we are. The department also updated its use-of-force policy to align with calls to de-escalate police encounters with the public. Ste. Khalif, who designs most of the companys clothing, grew up in the Kibera slums of Nairobi, Kenya. I have been stopped for taking a walk to my house. "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," Hawi Awash told ABC 7 News. Awash characterized the conversation as positive. I want to know what you're doing in the store at 1 o'clock in the morning.". Maegan Hall, the female officer at the center of the scandal, has been fired, city officials said. Assistant Editor Emily Lavin contributed to this report. Reach him at 415-435-2652, on Twitter at @thearknewspaper and on Facebook at fb.me/thearknewspaper. There's video of the interaction and an investigation underway. I, kindly, explained that we didnt have to prove anything and asked for a supervisor. Town Manager Greg Chanis said Blasi has had several conversations with town officials since the incident. There's video of the interaction and an investigation underway. We welcome and encourage your thoughts and comments. 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. 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.. His accomplishment was widely covered in the TV and print media, including in The Ark. Tiburon Town Hall | 1505 Tiburon Boulevard, Tiburon, CA 94920 | Phone: 415-435-7373. A Tiburon police spokesperson tells ABC7 News the town has hired an outside, independent attorney to conduct an investigation. Police officers in a California town have been accused of racial profiling after confronting a Black business owner who . Doesnt the business owner have some responsibility for not complying, which also couldve de-escalated the situation? asked Reedlands resident Elizabeth Shapiro on Nextdoor. It does not matter. How safe is your neighborhood? I can no longer sit idle and watch the (Tiburon Police Department) inhumanely treat the citizens and business owners of our town. He's hoping the recorded interaction will inspire a different conversation. Again, the exchange goes in circles, but tensions rise as Madfes shouts past Khalif to ask Awash and the friend, still standing at the checkout counter to the rear, Do one of you two here own the store or have any reason to be here?, Khalif speaks over him: No, do not talk to anybody, you talk to me, youre talking to me right now., Tensions escalate further when Madfes tells Khalif, This town is my duty to protect.. What is it that theyre fearing?. A video showing three Tiburon Peninsula police officers repeatedly questioning the identity of a Black business owner working in his Fountain Plaza clothing store about 1 a.m. Aug. 21 has sparked widespread outrage within the community and prompted town officials to order an independent investigation into the conduct of two of the officers. 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. You sound very defensive.. 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 town announced Blasis resignation on Tuesday. Body cam and cell phone footage shows the altercation as it unfolds. Blasi has responded to numerous law enforcement-related questions on Quora, a question-and-answer website, over the last few years. After the video of the incident was posted on Yemas Instagram and went viral, discussion caught like wildfire across social media platforms. It was saddening to see that there wasnt any recognition from the police involved that this was a situation where they made a mistake.. I think of all of the very late nights I have worked in those offices and never once did the police come by to see who was there as I sat at my desk clearly visible in the window, she said in an email to town officials. Blasi and two other officers then leave. 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. 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