Awash characterized the conversation as positive. Michael Blasi arrived and an officer asked her husband to take his hands out of his pockets. Video @sherlavars pic.twitter.com/WH5S9Sktxu. It is clear that did not occur in this instance.. The officers repeatedly asserted, however, that Khalif was required to show identification, but California does not have a stop-and-identify statue. The Aug. 21 incident is the second time in recent months the Tiburon Police Department has come under public scrutiny for its response to racial issues in the wake of the Memorial Day killing of George Floyd and ensuing Black Lives Matter protests across the country, including several in Tiburon. 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. Maegan Hall, the female officer at the center of the scandal, has been fired, city officials said. In one response, Blasi explained that police are not able to detain a person without a lawful, articulable reason and compel them to identify themselves. Then show me its your store, Blasi responds. I opened the door for him then he proceeded to tell me his purpose for knocking on our door was to check what we were doing at the store that late. Mayor Alice Fredericks issued an apology on Saturday and went in person to talk to the store owners on Monday. 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. The newly released body-cam footage appears to highlight this further, with clearer audio than the cellphone footage that also shows a stark contrast between Blasis demeanor and that of Madfes, who speaks calmly throughout the first half of the video while Blasi then frequently shouts over Khalif and tells him he should be grateful. Other business owners have come forward to say that on the rare occasions they work late into the night, they've never been stopped and questioned at all, while Khalif was not only interrogated, Madfes had already called for backup before he first knocked on the door. The people in the store included co-owners Yema Khalif and Hawai Awash, the only Black store owners in town. Khalif, a resident for nearly 10 years, says hes been stopped while walking home and had to prove that he lives in Tiburon. Khalif: "If I tell you it's my store then what? One of several discussion threads on Nextdoor.com had racked up 234 comments by the Arks press deadline. 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. VIDEO: Berkeley mom films confrontation with white man who ripped down Black Lives Matter signs, Jupiter and Venus appear to 'kiss' in the sky, FL Gov. Scott Adams faces 'consequence culture' as U.S. newspapers drop Dilbert, Tom Cruise's 'ditching' of Suri showcased by Judd Apatow's 'co-parenting' joke, ex-Scientology exec says. YEMA is the only black owned clothing store in Tiburon, California so many people in our community know who we are. Blasi made $10,122 a month. Tiburon, CA - A Tiburon police sergeant fatally shot himself inside the police department headquarters while on duty on Monday, according to authorities. I cannot fathom how that could happen. 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. Some police officers have used digital media to brag about their racially violent exploits. 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. He was among 17 applicants for the position. Cronin quickly apologized, saying he stood in support of peaceful protests in Marin City and condemned racism, social injustice and police brutality. I do not have to show you nothing! replied Khalif. You sure? videotaped confronting a Black business owner, Public File for KBCW-TV / KBCW 44 Cable 12. If I tell you its my store, then what? Khalif responded. "We are extraordinarily sad to report the loss. On Aug. 21 at about 1 a.m., police officers confronted the couple, who were inside their shop. 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. We are focused on how to prevent this from happening again, she said. DeSantis coming to CA as new poll shows him leading Trump, Ice flies off SUV, smashing windshield: 'You could kill somebody'. David Zalubowski/AP. Blasi has responded to numerous law enforcement-related questions on Quora, a question-and-answer website, over the last few years. I had to prove my house, street and number, and I had to prove that I lived in Tiburon, Khalif said. @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. Thank you very much, thats all I need to know, Blasi said in the video and walked away toward Tiburon Boulevard. Supervisor and another cop - who had his hand on his gun, by the way, showed up almost immediately. 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. She said that included conversations about how police officers can re-examine their implicit biases and eliminate their own fear on the job. Named among the state's & nation's best small weeklies, 2014, 2018-2021 California News Publishers Association &, Store owners: Late-night encounter with Tiburon cops was racially motivated, 2022 The Ark, AMMI Publishing Co. Inc. | 1550 Tiburon Blvd. Madfes says there isnt, but that hes never seen anyone in the store so late. 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. Tiburon Town Manager Greg Chanis announced the resignation in a newsletter saying " [Sgt. I do not have any intention of removing them at this time, Cronin said. First hired by the Belvedere Police Department in 2017, Blasi is considered a supervisor in Tiburon, where he earns an annual salary of $99,888 with a $20,324 benefits package. Whatever the intention of the responding offices, the interchange inappropriately deteriorated from helpful to confrontational, Fredericks wrote in an email sent to the community. In response to public outcry, Blasi offered his resignation from the Tiburon Police department, which went into effect September 1. At 1 a.m. Saturday morning, Tiburon police officers saw three people inside the clothing store Yema on Main Street and decided to check it out. Update: 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. A Black. Monaghans collaborative approach and demonstrated commitment to creating meaningful community engagement really set him apart from other candidates, Chanis said. "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. 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.. 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. Michael Blasi, was posted by Khalif to social media later Aug. 21. "He demands to know what we are doing at the store at 1 o'clock in the morning and he wants me to prove who I am," said Khalif in an interview with ABC7 News. The couple met at Dominican University. Named among the state's & nation's best small weeklies, 2014, 2018-2021 California News Publishers Association &, Tiburon releases body-cam footage of police questioning Black merchant, About 6 minutes of cellphone footage of the encounter with the supervisor, Tiburon police Sgt. It was fear. 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. Is it your store? 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. 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?. In the video, Khalif is at the door of his own store talking with a Tiburon police supervisor. 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. The argument continued for a few more minutes, with both Blasi and Khalif raising their voices. Its nice to see how the community has come together, and that they are saying what they want to see going forward, Khalif said. 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. Khalif and Awash said Cronin had not reached out to them directly in the aftermath of the incident. Its unfortunate but I think good will come of this, Awash said. After a few minutes, Blasi and another officer arrived, which is when the interaction starts being recorded. Tiburon Town Manager Greg Chanis announced the resignation in a newsletter saying [Sgt. 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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. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Wife of popular Wild 94.9 radio host JV says new information suggests he will not be coming back, Bay Area federal judge orders extradition of woman suspected of killing MSU student in hit-and-run, San Jose: Home raided as part of explosives and narcotics investigation. A place where Ive lived for nine and a half years? I want to know what you're doing in the store at 1 o'clock in the morning," says the supervisor. I want to know what youre doing in this store at one oclock in the morning? one of the officers is heard asking in the clip. I have a problem with you guys being here so late and you not telling me why, Madfes says. First published on September 8, 2020 / 7:45 PM. I cannot lie and say Im OK. Im traumatized and my wife is traumatized.. 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. Khalif spoke at the rally. A percentage of all sales are donated to Road to Freedom Scholarships for the education of orphaned children in Ethiopia and Kenya, a program that was started by Danish actress and part-time Tiburon resident Connie Nielsen. Khalif, who designs most of the companys clothing, grew up in the Kibera slums of Nairobi, Kenya. 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. Reach her at 415-944-4627. Then he insisted that he wanted us to prove who we are and to explain what we were doing at the store that late. Khalif and Awash said Chanis, the town manager, reached out to them after the incident, and the three met on Aug. 23. Maybe this happened to us because we can bring this out and make sure we have these conversations in our homes and with our families and loved ones and members of community and create something positive thats going to make Tiburon better for all of us, 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.. Awash was born in Ethiopia and lived as a refugee in Kenya before moving with her family to Minnesota. Khalif and Awash said Chanis, the town manager, reached out to them after the incident, and the three met on Aug. 23. TIBURON (KPIX/CBS SF) -- The police chief of the City of Tiburon is stepping down , according to a report in the Marin Independent Journal. Other people defended the police actions, denying that there was any racial motivation behind the interaction and saying Khalif was in the wrong. Blasi begins asking the same questions as the first officer, including what the three were doing there late at night. D, Tiburon, CA 94920 |. 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.. At one point he stopped across our store for a good minute. Were here because we love Tiburon, and we know that Tiburon loves us back, Awash said. Tiburon police officers are trained and held to the highest standards of conduct. On Thursday, the city of Tiburon and city of Belvedere held a joint virtual community meeting with all sides reacting to the incident. Blasi offered, and the town has accepted, his voluntary resignation." 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