Monaghans collaborative approach and demonstrated commitment to creating meaningful community engagement really set him apart from other candidates, Chanis 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. Michael Blasi was the supervising officer on Aug.. Email: mtom@sfgate.com. They opened the athletic apparel boutique in February. Everything I was saying fell on deaf ears.. Khalif replies, No, just doing our thing and asks if theres a problem. Khalif continually declines to do so, stating numerous times that he owns the business and asks, Whats the problem? Khalif becomes increasingly frustrated as Blasis requirement shifts: Did you identify yourself? During the arrest, Grime fell unconscious and died in the hospital two days later. CNN values your feedback 1. After it was over I was shaking, Awash said. 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. 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. Khalif, an immigrant from Kenya, refused, arguing that police officers should know the business owners in the community. A Tiburon police sergeant has resigned following a confrontation with a Black merchant that critics say stemmed from racial profiling. Laurie Nilsen is the Emergency Services Coordinator for both towns. It does not matter. 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"We're trying to build a brand with a big heart," said Khalif. Critics of the officers handling of the incident note that Blasi did not de-escalate the encounter on his arrival. A video depicting Tiburon police officers in heated exchange with the owner of the towns only Black-owned business while working late in his downtown shop has sparked outrage in the community. I opened our balcony door to Main Street, and I heard one of the officers saying, If this is your store, put your key in the door and prove it.. You can contact staff from the Police Department and get information about their divisions: Tiburon Town Hall | 1505 Tiburon Boulevard, Tiburon, CA 94920 | Phone: 415-435-7373 Hours: Administration: 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Planning: 8 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Building: 7:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Public Works: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.Town Hall is closed on Fridays. 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. That seemed to satisfy the officers, and they promptly left without the proof they had demanded for roughly 10 minutes. Before opening their Tiburon storefront, the couple started selling their clothing online in 2016. 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. "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. In our 50th year serving Tiburon, Belvedere & Strawberry. Tiburon Mayor Alice Fredericks told the Marin IJ she was not surprised by the announcement, but it came "a few weeks earlier than expected. Im like, wait, did this happen in Tiburon? Cronin said he wasnt aware of Blasis involvement in the Grime case when the department hired him last year. 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. He doesn't believe that would have happened if he was white. Monaghan has taught administration of justice at the San Mateo Community College District. Blasi] believes it would be difficult to continue being effective as a police officer in Tiburon. A patrol officer saw people in the store at 1 a.m. and questioned why they were there. 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.". 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. I do not have to show you nothing! replied Khalif. 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. Criminal-law experts and civil-liberties organizations say there is no requirement to produce identification even when detained unless youre operating a motor vehicle, which requires state-issued certification, or you have been arrested or booked for a crime. Where people know me? "We are extraordinarily sad to report the loss. 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. Khalif said when it became clear the officer wasnt understanding him, he asked the officer to call his supervisor. To be fair, some more than others.. First published on September 8, 2020 / 7:45 PM. 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. Doesnt the business owner have some responsibility for not complying, which also couldve de-escalated the situation? asked Reedlands resident Elizabeth Shapiro on Nextdoor. 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. Video @sherlavars pic.twitter.com/WH5S9Sktxu. The town announced Blasis resignation on Tuesday. The four fired men were Patrol Officer Juan Lugo Perez, Sgt. Marin City Matters member Paul Austin said Blasis resignation is a step in the right direction, but there is more work to be done starting from the top down. Its unfortunate but I think good will come of this, Awash said. Khalif and Awash said Chanis, the town manager, reached out to them after the incident, and the three met on Aug. 23. I cannot fathom how that could happen. Ryan Monaghan, who has worked at the San. In a later interview, Awash pointed out that there are large posters on the stores walls of both she and Khalif modeling their clothing. Monaghan accepted a conditional offer in February, Chanis said. The Tiburon Police Department was established in 1972 following the towns incorporation by eight years. One of our business friend was visiting us from washing DC so he came with us. David Zalubowski/AP. The argument continued for a few more minutes, with both Blasi and Khalif raising their voices. 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. 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. This isn't regular business hours, there's no customers in there. That's all we want to know. Thats where the concern should be right now the next Black man, not an apology to Yema.. Moments later, a neighbor awoken by the yelling can be heard telling police that Khalif was the store owner. 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. 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. Khalif says he wasnt angry, just putting his foot down. Khalif said the officer circled the store three or four times before stopping outside the shop and sitting across the street for about 15 minutes. September 8, 2020 / 7:45 PM Store proprietor Yema Khalif, his wife and. While K-9 officer Larry Holladay, Patrol Officer Patrick. We saw him drive around the block like 3 times. Based on this belief, Sgt. ", Supervisor: "Then show me that it's your store. 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