TIBURON, Calif. . Dear Abby: Why do they imply my husband is a freak? It was saddening to see that there wasnt any recognition from the police involved that this was a situation where they made a mistake.. Michael Blasi resigned after the release of police body-cam video showed Blasi and other officers questioning whether Yema Khalif and his wife Hawi Awash had a right to be in their own downtown store after hours. "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. The governing councils are to hold a joint online Town Hall-Community Forum on Aug. 27. In an Aug. 24 interview, Khalif said he had no doubt the officers confronted him because of his race and said he was still traumatized., I could have been another statistic, I could have been another George Floyd, Trayvon Martin, but I did not take the bait, he said. Tiburon police records show that no one called police about suspicious activity at the store, and no alarms had been set off. If I tell you its my store, then what? Khalif asks in the video. Blasi] believes it would be difficult to continue being effective as a police officer in Tiburon. In 1999 the department moved into its current location at 1155 Tiburon Blvd. His tone not very like-able. Please enter valid email address to continue. The neighbor, Ken Simpson, lives in his Main Street apartment part-time and said hes also accustomed to hearing noise from patrons and employees of downtown restaurants late at night, but the yelling that woke him up about 1:15 a.m. Aug. 21 sounded like it was escalating quickly. His accomplishment was widely covered in the TV and print media, including in The Ark. The off-camera speaker presumably makes reference to the June 2020 fatal police shooting of 27-year-old Rayshard Brooks, who was shot after allegedly grabbing a police officer's Taser, following a . Monaghan has taught administration of justice at the San Mateo Community College District. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Grime died in a hospital two days later. 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. DeSantis coming to CA as new poll shows him leading Trump, Ice flies off SUV, smashing windshield: 'You could kill somebody'. 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. One of several discussion threads on Nextdoor.com had racked up 234 comments by the Arks press deadline. That report led to 72 Philadelphia officers placed on administrative duty, of whom 13 were fired. Theyre the ones with the guns, theyre the ones with the badge, theyre the ones with the authority, she said. It just felt like it was going to progress into something ugly., Khalif called the fact that the situation was diffused by a white neighbor yelling down to vouch for him the icing on the cake., A Black man cannot be in this space in this particular hour and say, Im OK, no need to be talking to you, move along. A Black man can not say that, but a white man can.. The department is open to the public. Cronin quickly apologized, saying he stood in support of peaceful protests in Marin City and condemned racism, social injustice and police brutality. Awash says shes been stopped in her car by a single officer three to five times in the past year and a half. / CBS San Francisco. Police Chief Michael Cronin said the town has engaged the services of an independent attorney to conduct an investigation into the incident. After Khalif asks four times what happens next if he acknowledges it is, Blasi says Khalif should be grateful that the officers are looking out for his shop. This isn't regular business hours, there's no customers in there. One of our business friend was visiting us from washing DC so he came with us. 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. Blasi also receives a monthly pension of $3,224 for his time as a sheriffs deputy, said Jeff Wickham, the county pension board administrator. Check out Bay Area safety tracker, Tracking the drought: Map shows conditions across SF Bay Area, Bay Area Life; Sundays at 6:30 p.m. on ABC7, Man fired after blocking Latino man from entering his own apartment building in SF, Find resources to help with equality, justice and race issues, Santa Clara University professor, her brother racially profiled by campus guards, Berkeley mom films confrontation with white man who ripped down Black Lives Matter signs. Everything I was saying fell on deaf ears.. Tiburon Town Manager Greg Chanis announced the resignation in a newsletter saying " [Sgt. RELATED: Santa Clara University professor, her brother racially profiled by campus guards, In an emailed statement writing, "The Town is engaging the services of an outside, independent attorney to conduct an investigation of the incident involving a local business owner and Tiburon Police Officers on August 21 at 10 Main Street. 49K views 2 years ago Tiburon has released footage from a police officer's body-worn camera of a controversial Friday night confrontation between police and a Black business owner who was. 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. 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.. However, he believes it would be difficult to continue being effective as a police officer in Tiburon.. When we hire police, the police chief makes a recommendation, but the town manager approves every hire.. Should you desire additional information that doesnt appear on the site, please contact us directly at 415-789-2801 or by using the department directory. Mayor Alice Fredericks on Aug. 22 sent out an email to the community apologizing to Khalif and Awash. Theyre the ones with the guns, theyre the ones with the badge, theyre the ones with the authority, she said. 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. Tiburon police officers are trained and held to the highest standards of conduct. The encounter escalated when the supervising sergeant arrived on scene. According to Khalif, the officer sat in his parked vehicle for about 20 minutes before approaching Khalif, asking him to identify himself, explain why they were inside the store, and informing them that backup was on the way. If you have a problem, you tell me . Khalif, an immigrant from Kenya, refused, arguing that police officers should know the business owners in the community. Khalif was also a speaker at the 2018 Belvedere-Tiburon Librarys Pop-Up 94920 series. 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. 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. The former chief, Michael Cronin, retired in September after a public backlash over an incident involving two Black store owners. In the video, Blasi eventually says Khalif should be grateful that the officers are looking out for his shop. D, Tiburon, CA 94920 |. The newly-released bodycam video can be seen here. Khalif, who has lived in Tiburon for nearly 10 years, and Awash are well-known in the Tiburon business community. 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. Blasi has responded to numerous law enforcement-related questions on Quora, a question-and-answer website, over the last few years. At one point he stopped across our store for a good minute. 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. Reporter Hannah Weikel and Assistant Editor Emily Lavin contributed to this report. Cronin denies his departure is linked to the incident. 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. 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.. 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. 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. After another shop owner yelled at police, telling them the couple did own the store, the officers left. 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. 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. Again, Khalif says hell speak to the supervisor, but Madfes insists Khalif is required to give me a lawful reason why youre here.. I do not have any intention of removing them at this time, Cronin said. The investigation needs to go further than just this incident at Yema, said Adjani, a friend of the store owners. In response to public outcry, Blasi offered his resignation from the Tiburon Police department, which went into effect September 1. 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. 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. Henry Ty McGowan. "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. All Access Digital offer for just 99 cents! I want to know what you're doing in the store at 1 o'clock in the morning," says the supervisor. Is it your store? 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. Tiburon Town Hall | 1505 Tiburon Boulevard, Tiburon, CA 94920 | Phone: 415-435-7373. Yema Khalif and Hawi Awash, owners of the Yema clothing shop. Yema Protest Speech following the incident at his storefront on August 29th. Thats all we want to know, Blasi says. He doesn't believe that would have happened if he was white. I had to prove my house, street and number, and I had to prove that I lived in Tiburon, Khalif said. We saw him drive around the block like 3 times. Khalif said he wasnt particularly impressed with that statement. 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. Our community needs to come together and find real ways to train our police officers to police with empathy and love., Marin police face-off with Black merchant fuels, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Alameda County DAs new policy will reduce prison sentences through widespread elimination of sentencing enhancements, Tiburon police face-off with Black merchant fuels outrage, probe, Draymond Green explains his issue with Black History Month: Why do we get the shortest month?. Monaghan graduated from Union Institute and University in Sacramento with a bachelors degree in criminal justice management. Michael Blasi arrived and an officer asked her husband to take his hands out of his pockets. Khalif and Awash said Chanis, the town manager, reached out to them after the incident, and the three met on Aug. 23. This street closes at 9 oclock at night, and theres never anybody in here. Khalif said he was racially profiled in February while searching for business license documents in his car in the Town Hall parking lot. 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. Another protest is planned at the Tiburon Police Department on Saturday. In our 50th year serving Tiburon, Belvedere & Strawberry. What is it that theyre fearing?. Laurie is responsible for disaster preparedness, maintenance of the Emergency Operations Center and coordination of a wide range of related activities. Police Chief Michael Cronin declined to directly comment on the Aug. 21 incident until the investigation has concluded, but he confirmed Blasi and the other officers involved would continue coming to work through the investigation. Thats when we knew he had already called for back up. 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. There's video of the interaction and an investigation underway. Monaghans collaborative approach and demonstrated commitment to creating meaningful community engagement really set him apart from other candidates, Chanis said. 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. About 2 minutes into the video, Khalif says that if Madfes has a problem, call your chief of police, call whoever you wanna call at which point Madfes acknowledges his supervisor, Blasi, is already on his way, consistent with Khalifs previous accounts of the incident. 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. 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. The Los Angeles Times broke the story about former officers charged with conspiracy and vandalism in connection to a swastika spray-painting on a citizen's car. 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. Ryan Monaghan, who has worked at the San Mateo department for 27 years, will start the new job on April 5. Several months later, the store was named Tiburons Business of the Month. About 6 minutes of cellphone footage of the encounter with the supervisor, Tiburon police Sgt. ", Others responded with different views, saying that officers were just doing their job. The department also updated its use-of-force policy to align with calls to de-escalate police encounters with the public. 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.. Town Manager Greg Chanis said he chose the date to " coincide with his military anniversary in 1966.". The newly released footage begins about 6 minutes before that video begins, when Madfes is already parked on Tiburon Boulevard at Main Street and is getting out of his squad car. Miss Manners: I shouldn't call because the phone scares people? We are focused on how to prevent this from happening again, she said. Whatever the intention of the responding offices, the interchange inappropriately deteriorated from helpful to confrontational, Fredericks wrote in an email sent to the community. , 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. A Black man can not say that, but a white man can.. 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. "This street closes at 9 o'clock at night and there's never anybody in here. Its nice to see how the community has come together, and that they are saying what they want to see going forward, Khalif said. 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. 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 remaining footage is the body-camera perspective of the exchange previously recorded from inside the store and circulated on social media. Michael Blasi, was, 2022 The Ark, AMMI Publishing Co. Inc. | 1550 Tiburon Blvd. IRS delays tax deadline for Bay Area, but California hasn't followed: What should you do? Matthew Tom has been working as a homepage editor at SFGATE since 2006. 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