The former chief, Michael Cronin, retired in September after a public backlash over an incident involving two Black store owners. TIBURON, Calif. - A Tiburon couple who own a clothing store is accusing police of racially profiling them. Dear Abby: Why do they imply my husband is a freak? 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.". Two Black merchants who allege racial profiling by police in Tiburon and Belvedere are demanding $2 million from the municipalities. Next time, just walk and the audio and video cut out. We saw him drive around the block like 3 times. , 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. Reporter Hannah Weikel covers the city of Belvedere, as well as crime, courts and public safety issues on the Tiburon Peninsula. It was saddening to see that there wasnt any recognition from the police involved that this was a situation where they made a mistake.. Khalif refused. 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. In the post, Khalif described seeing a lone police officer circle the block a number of times before stopping his patrol vehicle and knocking on the storefront door. "My pictures are plastered all over the store, huge pictures," says Khalif. TIBURON, Calif. . Ive not been feeling the reality of it. Yema's wife says the officer had his hand on his gun. Would dismantling Interstate 980 repair damage to Black neighborhoods? The newly-released bodycam video can be seen here. Chanis has denied that Cronin's retirement is connected to the incident involving the business owners, according to the Marin IJ. Khalif spoke at the rally. Last night we had a not so good exchange with Tiburon police at our place of work. 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. Blasi begins asking the same questions as the first officer, including what the three were doing there late at night. 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. Would dismantling Interstate 980 repair damage to Black neighborhoods? Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. I want to know what you're doing in the store at 1 o'clock in the morning," says the supervisor. Tiburon Town Manager Greg Chanis announced the resignation in a newsletter saying " [Sgt. 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. At one point, 465 members of the public were virtually attending the forum and, in addition to the speakers, we received 79 items of written correspondence.. Based on this belief, Sgt. Tiburon police records show that no one called police about suspicious activity at the store, and no alarms had been set off. One of our business friend was visiting us from washing DC so he came with us. Copyright 2023 KGO-TV. Some days we have to work late. 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. Henry Ty McGowan. Comment at the meeting, or in advance by emailing comments@townoftiburon.org. We welcome and encourage your thoughts and comments. Sept. 10, 2020 1:17 AM PT. All Rights Reserved. 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. 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. 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. They refused to leave until I proved it, Khalif said in the post. Supervisor and another cop - who had his hand on his gun, by the way, showed up almost immediately. She said she used to work for Frank Howard Allen Realtors when it had a storefront office in downtown Tiburon. 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. 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. His tone not very like-able. Blasi stepped in and was recorded arguing with Khalif while the patrol officer and a Belvedere officer stood by. Michael Blasi, becoming more frustrated and confrontational with Khalif, who also appears exasperated with the interaction, as the minutes go by. This street closes at 9 oclock at night, and theres never anybody in here. Cronin declined to declined to identify the other two officers other than to say one works for Tiburon and the other for Belvedere. While K-9 officer Larry Holladay, Patrol Officer Patrick. Get Morning Report and other email newsletters. Offensive text messages exchanged between police officers in the Los Angeles suburb of Torrance, California, have hit the news and brought a spotlight on systemic discriminatory practices within the department.. I think the town owes the police an apology, Joyce Wells said. Michael Blasi, resigned in the aftermath. I sat in on these interviews, but did not participate, Chanis said. Tiburon police officers are trained and held to the highest standards of conduct. Thats when we knew he had already called for back up. 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.. One of the. You know, this is not something that is good for the community when this happens, so when everybody has a voice, everybody gets involved, when everybody speaks up when they see any kind of an injustice happening not being bystanders makes the community better, Khalif said. 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. I have been stopped for taking a walk to my house. During the arrest, Grime fell unconscious and died in the hospital two days later. Mayor Alice Fredericks issued an apology on Saturday and went in person to talk to the store owners on Monday. Your email address will not be published. This incident should alarm every resident in Tiburon, wrote Wolf. A Black man can not say that, but a white man can.. 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. 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. Meanwhile, Awash estimated she has been stopped in her car three to five times over the past year and a half by the same police officer. A video of the incident that Awash recorded was widely shared on social media, and the town released police body-camera footage. 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. 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. Jupiter and Venus appear to 'kiss' in the sky, FL Gov. I do not have any intention of removing them at this time, Cronin said. Laurie can be reached at (415)789-2805. The department also updated its use-of-force policy to align with calls to de-escalate police encounters with the public. Town Manager Greg Chanis said he chose the date to " coincide with his military anniversary in 1966.". Thank you very much, thats all I need to know, Blasi said in the video and walked away toward Tiburon Boulevard. Khalif: "If I tell you it's my store then what? Michael Blasi demanded Khalif and 2 other Black ppl prove they were allowed to be in the store. 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.. Blasi] believes it would be difficult to continue being effective as a police officer in Tiburon. The town announced Blasis resignation on Tuesday. 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Belvedere City Manager Craig Middleton said one of the officers who was acting in a backup role is employed with Belvedere Police Department. Monaghan has taught administration of justice at the San Mateo Community College District. Tiburon officials say an independent investigation is now underway, which is the reason why officers were not at Thursday's meeting. He opened the store this past February and says it's not unusual for them to work late into the night. In it, you can hear officers questioning Khalif multiple times: "Do one of you own the store?". 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. "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. / CBS San Francisco. 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. 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. 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. Thats all we want to know, Blasi says. The governing councils are to hold a joint online Town Hall-Community Forum on Aug. 27. The remaining footage is the body-camera perspective of the exchange previously recorded from inside the store and circulated on social media. Tiburon, CA - A Tiburon police sergeant fatally shot himself inside the police department headquarters while on duty on Monday, according to authorities. 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.". They were politely doing the job they were hired for and if the owner had cooperated right away there would not have been an issue.. Cronin quickly apologized, saying he stood in support of peaceful protests in Marin City and condemned racism, social injustice and police brutality. Protesters march Saturday, Jan. 28, in Memphis, Tenn., over the death of Tyre Nichols, who died after being beaten by Memphis police. The Police Department and Emergency Operations Center are also responsible for developing and maintaining the Emergency Operations Plan for the entire Tiburon Peninsula. This isn't regular business hours, there's no customers in there. 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. The county settled with Grimes family for nearly $1 million. Investigators said the incident occurred inside the Tiburon Police Department (TPD) locker room at approximately 12:45 p.m. on Dec. 12, The Ark reported. Khalif said he was racially profiled in February while searching for business license documents in his car in the Town Hall parking lot. Get Morning Report and other email newsletters. Mayor Alice Fredericks on Aug. 22 sent out an email to the community apologizing to Khalif and Awash. 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