Dear Abby: Why do they imply my husband is a freak? Monaghan graduated from Union Institute and University in Sacramento with a bachelors degree in criminal justice management. Officers from both the Tiburon and Belvedere police departments arrived that August 2020 night around 1 a.m., when Khalif, Awash and a friend were stocking clothes at the upscale boutique on . Khalif and Awash said Cronin had not reached out to them directly in the aftermath of the incident. It looked like they were harassing him and I thought, This has gone on for several minutes, Simpson said. 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. 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. 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. 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 . Khalif says he wasnt angry, just putting his foot down. Please enter valid email address to continue. ", Khalif: "I do not have to show you nothing. 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. I have been stopped for taking a walk to my house. Dear Abby: Why do they imply my husband is a freak? Khalif said he was racially profiled in February while searching for business license documents in his car in the Town Hall parking lot. Many speakers provided meaningful suggestions and identified specific actions the councils could consider to ensure our communities are safe and welcoming to all, Chanis said. 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. He opened the store this past February and says it's not unusual for them to work late into the night. 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. 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. The couple met at Dominican University. 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. 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. Tiburon Town Manager Greg Chanis announced the resignation in a newsletter saying [Sgt. A video of the incident that Awash recorded was widely shared on social media, and the town released police body-camera footage. Khalif, who designs most of the companys clothing, grew up in the Kibera slums of Nairobi, Kenya. 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.. 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. Copyright 2023 KGO-TV. It sparked widespread outrage within the community and prompted town officials to order an independent investigation into the officers conduct. There's video of the interaction and an investigation underway. The next day when I woke up, I was like, Holy s, what just happened?. 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. I expressed to him that there was no crime going on and we were going about our business. 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. Police Chief Michael Cronin said the town has engaged the services of an independent attorney to conduct an investigation into the incident. The two engage, mostly in circles, for the next minute as Madfes repeatedly asks why the three are there so late, and Khalif, at times visibly showing frustration, repeatedly asks why it matters if theres no problem. 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. His tone not very like-able. ", The business owner tells ABC7 News, "I did feel racially profiled. I think the town owes the police an apology, Joyce Wells said. That report led to 72 Philadelphia officers placed on administrative duty, of whom 13 were fired. Yesterday was one of those days. Tiburon, CA - A Tiburon police sergeant fatally shot himself inside the police department headquarters while on duty on Monday, according to authorities. 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. 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. 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. I sat in on these interviews, but did not participate, Chanis said. 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. Sept. 10, 2020 1:17 AM PT. 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. Awash was born in Ethiopia and lived as a refugee in Kenya before moving with her family to Minnesota. The Tiburon Police Department was established in 1972 following the towns incorporation by eight years. Khalif replies, No, just doing our thing and asks if theres a problem. During hours when the department is closed, visitors can be directly connected to our dispatch center via a phone outside our front entrance. Khalif believes the best way Marin residents can express their solidarity is by not being bystanders to racist acts. Khalif: "If I tell you it's my store then what? Tiburon officials say an independent investigation is now underway, which is the reason why officers were not at Thursday's meeting. ORIGINAL STORY: Tiburon police demand Black business owner prove who he is, Two videos show an officer saying, "This street closes at 9 o'clock at night and there's never anybody in here. Theyre the ones with the guns, theyre the ones with the badge, theyre the ones with the authority, she said. "This particular day we had just received a huge inventory and we just wanted to come out and put the inventory out before Saturday morning," said Khalif. Cause you dont sound like youre very grateful. Then finally, the cop decided to come knock on our store door. 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. What is it that theyre fearing?. In the video, Khalif is at the door of his own store talking with a Tiburon police supervisor. I want to know what you're doing in the store at 1 o'clock in the morning.". This isnt regular business hours, theres no customers in here. "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. After it was over I was shaking, Awash said. 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. 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. The remaining footage is the body-camera perspective of the exchange previously recorded from inside the store and circulated on social media. 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.. If I tell you its my store, then what? Khalif responded. 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. She stressed the importance to use the incident as a learning step.. Cronin denies his departure is linked to the incident. 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.. Laurie is responsible for disaster preparedness, maintenance of the Emergency Operations Center and coordination of a wide range of related activities. It was fear. At one point he stopped across our store for a good minute. "We're trying to build a brand with a big heart," said Khalif. 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. Based on this belief, Sgt. Owner Yema Khalif said he was insulted by the officer's demand to prove he owned the store and feels Blasi would have behaved differently if he had been white. His accomplishment was widely covered in the TV and print media, including in The Ark. 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.". The police denied a racial motive and said they were doing their jobs. "Since becoming Police Chief in 2007, the impact of Mikes leadership has been significant for Tiburon," Chanis said. He also holds a masters degree in security studies from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey. 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. The confrontation led to a rally in Tiburon on Aug. 29 against racial profiling. Before Khalif was able to show the three officers that he had a working key to the store, an unnamed local can be heard from afar verifying that Khalif was the owner. 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. The argument continued for a few more minutes, with both Blasi and Khalif raising their voices. TAKE ACTION: Find resources to help with equality, justice and race issues. Once she found out about Blasis past, she said she felt lucky the situation did not end with violence. 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. In our 50th year serving Tiburon, Belvedere & Strawberry. All Rights Reserved. Another said, "I am incensed! She said that included conversations about how police officers can re-examine their implicit biases and eliminate their own fear on the job. 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. However, he believes it would be difficult to continue being effective as a police officer in Tiburon.. Blasi] believes it would be difficult to continue being effective as a police officer in Tiburon. Before opening their Tiburon storefront, the couple started selling their clothing online in 2016. A key component of that training is the expectation that our officers will utilize de-escalation techniques in situations like there. Miss Manners: I shouldn't call because the phone scares people? Blasi offered, and the town has accepted, his voluntary resignation., On the night of the alleged racial profiling incident, Khalif, his wife. Ryan Monaghan, who has worked at the San Mateo department for 27 years, will start the new job on April 5. 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. Thats when we knew he had already called for back up. Thats all we want to know, Blasi says. Then show me its your store, Blasi responds. Assistant Editor Emily Lavin contributed to this report. Protesters march Saturday, Jan. 28, in Memphis, Tenn., over the death of Tyre Nichols, who died after being beaten by Memphis police. Cronin faced backlash in June following a press release that warned residents of Sausalito and Tiburon that they might be targets of unrest caused by a Marin City demonstration in protest of the murder of George Floyd, which remained peaceful. Thats where the concern should be right now the next Black man, not an apology to Yema.. This isn't regular business hours, there's no customers in there. 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. 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. The department also updated its use-of-force policy to align with calls to de-escalate police encounters with the public. Jupiter and Venus appear to 'kiss' in the sky, FL Gov. 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. 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. On Thursday, the city of Tiburon and city of Belvedere held a joint virtual community meeting with all sides reacting to the incident. It sounded like a fist-fight was going to happen, Simpson said. Video @sherlavars pic.twitter.com/WH5S9Sktxu. VIDEO: Man fired after blocking Latino man from entering his own apartment building in SF. Khalif and Awash say, however, that they shouldnt be required to repeatedly identify themselves to police to prove who they are and that they belong in town. TIBURON, Calif. - A Tiburon couple who own a clothing store is accusing police of racially profiling them. 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. In a later interview, Awash pointed out that there are large posters on the stores walls of both she and Khalif modeling their clothing. Where people know me? 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. Awash noted they had been in the shop until about 2 or 3 a.m. the day before. In an interview Aug. 24, Fredericks called the officers behavior unacceptable, and said the Police Department is in the process of hiring an attorney to conduct an independent investigation into the incident. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Then we see Tiburon police car patrolling. Several months later, the store was named Tiburons Business of the Month. Is it your store? That seemed to satisfy the officers, and they promptly left without the proof they had demanded for roughly 10 minutes. Khalif, a resident for nearly 10 years, says hes been stopped while walking home and had to prove that he lives in Tiburon. Get Morning Report and other email newsletters. Community members pointed out Cronin had only issued a warning for the protest in Marin City, which is 61 percent non-white, including 38 percent Black, and had issued no such warnings for similar peaceful protests in other nearby predominantly white communities, including Mill Valley. That's all we want to know. It is clear that did not occur in this instance.. ", The community meeting comes after the city released body cam video showing the back and forth between both sides. Blasi] believes it would be difficult to continue being effective as a police officer in Tiburon. 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 . 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. 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. TAKE ACTION: Find resources to help with equality, justice and race issues. The shop owners filed a $2 million claim against the town. Yema Khalif and Hawi Awash, owners of the Yema clothing shop. 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. He went through the normal background check, Cronin said. An officers observations of perceived race, sex and age are standard when reporting in to dispatchers, as well as in logs and police reports. Yema Khalif, the only Black store owner in Tiburon, speaks out in front of the police dept. 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