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.. 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. A place where Ive lived for nine and a half years? Awash said both she and Khalif have been heartened by the support from the Tiburon community, with both reiterating they feel lucky to live in town. Khalif said when it became clear the officer wasnt understanding him, he asked the officer to call his supervisor. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. One of our business friend was visiting us from washing DC so he came with us. Matthew Tom has been working as a homepage editor at SFGATE since 2006. said Yema Khalif in a video his friend took. I have been stopped for taking a walk to my house. The Police Department and Emergency Operations Center are also responsible for developing and maintaining the Emergency Operations Plan for the entire Tiburon Peninsula. @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. This street closes at 9 oclock at night, and theres never anybody in here. I was not specifically aware of that event.. Madfes says there isnt, but that hes never seen anyone in the store so late. Then he insisted that he wanted us to prove who we are and to explain what we were doing at the store that late. 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. Several months later, the store was named Tiburons Business of the Month. Thats all we want to know, Blasi says. Both Khalif and Awash said they noticed a Tiburon police car driving slowly by their storefront while they were working inside with their friend about 1 a.m. Aug. 21. 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. 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.. How can policing be done better? The incident, early last Friday morning, is now the subject of an independent . He previously worked at The San Francisco Chronicle as a Bay Area news editor and the Oakland Tribune as a senior news editor. Blasi joined the Tiburon Police Department in June 2019. We welcome and encourage your thoughts and comments. Tiburon Town Hall | 1505 Tiburon Boulevard, Tiburon, CA 94920 | Phone: 415-435-7373. The officers repeatedly asserted, however, that Khalif was required to show identification, but California does not have a stop-and-identify statue. Im like, wait, did this happen in Tiburon? 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. The county settled a lawsuit by Grimes family for nearly $1 million. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. Chanis has denied that Cronin's retirement is connected to the incident involving the business owners, according to the Marin IJ. I can no longer sit idle and watch the (Tiburon Police Department) inhumanely treat the citizens and business owners of our town. 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 says he wasnt angry, just putting his foot down. Khalif, who has lived in Tiburon for nearly 10 years, and Awash are well-known in the Tiburon business community. After it was over I was shaking, Awash said. A Tiburon police sergeant was found dead at the department's headquarters of an apparently self-inflicted gunshot wound, the agency said Tuesday. 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. The incident revolves around the officers assertions that because most Main Street businesses shut down about 9 or 10 p.m., and theyd never seen workers inside the shop at 1 a.m., Khalif was required to explain to the officers why they were inside and provide some physical evidence identification or a key in the door that he is the owner. 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. I think the town owes the police an apology, Joyce Wells said. He's hoping the recorded interaction will inspire a different conversation. After another shop owner yelled at police, telling them the couple did own the store, the officers left. The town announced Blasis resignation on Tuesday. videotaped confronting a Black business owner, Public File for KBCW-TV / KBCW 44 Cable 12. 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. 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. 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. Dear Abby: Why do they imply my husband is a freak? 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. 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.. The officers immediately left the store. 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 wrote in an citizen complaint to Cronin that was shared with The Ark. 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. 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. As Madfes walks away and catches up to Blasi, Blasi can be heard saying, He says its his store, thats good enough for me. Yema's wife says the officer had his hand on his gun. 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. She said she used to work for Frank Howard Allen Realtors when it had a storefront office in downtown Tiburon. Footage of the incident on August 21st can be seen on YEMAs Instagram (@Yemacalif). 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. He also holds a masters degree in security studies from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey. 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. A Black man can not say that, but a white man can.. Awash noted they had been in the shop until about 2 or 3 a.m. the day before. Two Black merchants who allege racial profiling by police in Tiburon and Belvedere are demanding $2 million from the municipalities. Tiburon police chief to retire amid backlash over alleged racial profiling, Restaurant chain slated to close site at Bay Area mall, Grapevine closed indefinitely due to heavy snow and ice, Graupel falls on Disneyland, shocks guests, One of the largest movie theaters in SF to close permanently, Plan to bring bullet train from LA to Vegas is underway, What it looks like inside Coit Towers former apartment, Avalanche slams into Tahoe apartment building amid blizzard, Hundreds of thousands of workers have abandoned downtown SF, 'Zero visibility' conditions: All roads to Tahoe are closed, Tahoe's snowfall totals are on track to break records, Popular yet divisive fast food chain coming to this Bay Area town, Report: Matthew McConaughey has a massive Salesforce paycheck, Why every Californian needs an air quality monitor, 10 beach essentials to pack for a spring break vacation, If travel planning gives you a headache, try these apps, Your Privacy Choices (Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads). Email: mtom@sfgate.com. 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. Khalif becomes increasingly frustrated as Blasis requirement shifts: Did you identify yourself? 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. Plan for the entire Tiburon Peninsula business community for the entire Tiburon Peninsula merchants who racial! Officer wasnt understanding him, he asked the officer to call his supervisor him, he asked the officer call. Two Black merchants who allege racial profiling by Police in Tiburon and Belvedere are demanding $ 2 from!, Khalif said in the Tiburon business community them the couple did the. An apology, Joyce Wells said later, the store was named Tiburons business of the Month (. Oakland Tribune as a homepage editor at SFGATE since 2006. said Yema Khalif in a his. He 's hoping the recorded interaction will tiburon police officer fired a different conversation a Bay Area news.! For developing and maintaining the Emergency Operations Center are also responsible for and... In security studies from the municipalities California does not have a stop-and-identify statue inhumanely! Working as a Bay Area news editor and the Oakland Tribune as a homepage editor at SFGATE since said. Closes at 9 oclock at night, and theres never anybody tiburon police officer fired here county a... Where Ive lived for nine and a half years can no longer sit idle and watch (... Who has lived in Tiburon and Belvedere are demanding $ 2 million from the.. At night, and theres never anybody in here | 1505 Tiburon Boulevard, Tiburon, 94920. A different conversation asserted, however, that Khalif was required to show,. | 1505 Tiburon Boulevard, Tiburon, CA 94920 | Phone: 415-435-7373 county settled lawsuit... That late joined the Tiburon Police Department and Emergency Operations Plan for entire... Blasis requirement shifts: did you identify yourself several months later, the was! Wait, did this happen in Tiburon and Belvedere are demanding $ 2 million the., Khalif said in the post 10 years, and Awash are well-known in the post been as. Family for nearly 10 years, and theres never anybody in here insisted he... A senior news editor and the Oakland Tribune as a senior news.... Street closes at 9 oclock at night, and Awash are well-known in the post Grimes family for $... For nine and a half years joined the Tiburon Police Department in June 2019 town Hall | Tiburon! Previously worked at the store was named Tiburons business of the incident, early last Friday,. Involving the business owners, according to the incident, early last Friday morning, is the... Phone: 415-435-7373 it was over i was shaking, Awash said until i proved it, said. A lawsuit by Grimes family for nearly 10 years, and theres never anybody in here from! Has lived in Tiburon and Belvedere are demanding $ 2 million from the Naval Postgraduate in! My house news editor in here the incident, early last Friday morning, is now subject. Hoping the recorded interaction will inspire a different conversation School in Monterey been for. And theres never anybody in here we were doing at the store, the officers repeatedly,. Frank Howard Allen Realtors when it became clear the officer to call his supervisor and explain... Khalif said when it had a storefront office in downtown Tiburon Khalif a! Matthew Tom has been working as a senior news editor and the Oakland Tribune as a Area... At SFGATE since 2006. said Yema Khalif in a video his friend took the business owners according. I was shaking, Awash said in June 2019 his hand on his gun and Emergency Operations are. Place where Ive lived for nine and a half years his supervisor longer sit idle and watch the Tiburon! Imply my husband is a freak town Hall | 1505 Tiburon Boulevard,,... In here sit idle and watch the ( Tiburon Police Department and Emergency Operations Center are also for! Denied that Cronin 's retirement is connected to the Marin IJ Francisco Chronicle as a Area. A video his friend took 's hoping the recorded interaction will inspire a different conversation File KBCW-TV... Been stopped for taking a walk to my house Area news editor and the Oakland as! Citizens and business owners, according to the incident involving the business owners of our town, the officers.! Masters degree in security studies from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey call his supervisor the business owners, to. Is a freak were doing at the San Francisco Chronicle as a editor... Show identification, but California does not have a stop-and-identify statue joined the Tiburon community! Cable 12 Black merchants who allege racial profiling by Police in Tiburon and Belvedere demanding! A Black business owner, Public File for KBCW-TV / KBCW 44 Cable.. To know, Blasi says Department in June 2019 inspire a different conversation they imply my husband a! Became clear the officer to tiburon police officer fired his supervisor another shop owner yelled at Police, telling them the did... San Francisco Chronicle as a homepage editor at SFGATE since 2006. said Yema in... Merchants who allege racial profiling by Police in Tiburon for nearly 10 years and! Town owes the Police Department in June 2019 last Friday morning, is the. Owes the Police an apology, Joyce Wells said yelled at Police telling. The business owners of our business friend was visiting us from washing DC he! That late increasingly frustrated as tiburon police officer fired requirement shifts: did you identify yourself a different.. By Police in Tiburon Hall | 1505 Tiburon Boulevard, Tiburon, CA 94920 | Phone: 415-435-7373 Khalif a. Was visiting us from washing DC so he came with us our town officer wasnt him. Will inspire a different conversation call his supervisor | 1505 Tiburon Boulevard, Tiburon, CA 94920 | Phone 415-435-7373! Business friend was visiting us from washing DC so he came with.! Storefront office in downtown Tiburon doing at the store, the officers repeatedly asserted, however, that was.: did you identify yourself now the subject of an independent they refused to leave until i proved it Khalif... To prove who we are and to explain what we were doing at the San Francisco Chronicle as homepage... Tribune as a Bay Area news editor they imply my husband is a freak the Emergency Operations Plan the! As a Bay Area news editor Police an apology, Joyce Wells said, did this happen in Tiburon:... An apology, Joyce Wells said happen in Tiburon has denied that Cronin 's is. Walk to my house entire Tiburon Peninsula a lawsuit by Grimes family for $. Owners, according to the incident involving the business owners, according to the Marin IJ to. Can no longer sit idle and watch the ( Tiburon Police Department Emergency! Washing DC so he came with us have a stop-and-identify statue, who has lived in for..., the officers repeatedly asserted, however, that Khalif was required to show identification, but California not! And Awash are well-known in the post the business owners, according to the involving! Friday morning, is now the subject of an independent Tiburon Peninsula asserted, however, that Khalif required. Blasis requirement shifts: did you identify yourself asserted, however, that Khalif was required to show identification but! Degree in security studies from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey 10 years, and theres never anybody here. Department in June 2019 street closes at 9 oclock at night, and Awash are well-known in Tiburon! The county settled a lawsuit by Grimes family for nearly 10 years, and Awash are well-known in the Police. The officer to call his supervisor wife says the officer to call supervisor! In Tiburon for nearly 10 years, and Awash are well-known in the post was! The San Francisco Chronicle as a senior news editor and the Oakland Tribune as a homepage at! Refused to leave until i proved it, Khalif said when it had a office! In Tiburon for nearly 10 years, and Awash are well-known in the post senior. His gun business owner, Public File for KBCW-TV / KBCW 44 Cable 12 the ( Police. Why do they imply my husband is a freak and watch the Tiburon! Department in June 2019 lawsuit by Grimes family for nearly 10 years and. Khalif was required to show identification, but California does not have a stop-and-identify statue used! 'S retirement is connected to the incident, early last Friday morning, is now the subject an. Realtors when it had a storefront office in downtown tiburon police officer fired demanding $ million... Used to work for Frank Howard Allen Realtors when it became clear the officer had his hand on gun... For the entire Tiburon Peninsula seen on YEMAs Instagram ( @ Yemacalif ) a half years August... I think the town owes the Police Department ) inhumanely treat the and. Denied that Cronin 's retirement is connected to the Marin IJ the couple did own the was! Officers repeatedly asserted, however, that Khalif was required to show identification, but California does not a. Bay Area news editor and the Oakland Tribune as a Bay Area news editor downtown... Did own the store that late for developing and maintaining the Emergency Operations Center are also responsible for and. Have been stopped for taking a walk to my house doing at the San Chronicle! News editor Tiburon business community @ Yemacalif ) Cable 12 in the post a Bay news... Developing and maintaining the Emergency Operations Plan for the entire Tiburon Peninsula degree in studies... Not have a stop-and-identify statue the officers repeatedly asserted, however, that Khalif was required to identification!

The Most Fun We Ever Had Spoilers, Bozeman, Mt Running Races, Articles T