tiburon police officer fireddonald lacava obituary

Once she found out about Blasis past, she said she felt lucky the situation did not end with violence. He said he was surrounded by officers who told him they were responding to a call about a person touching peoples cars.. Investigators said the incident occurred inside the Tiburon Police Department (TPD) locker room at approximately 12:45 p.m. on Dec. 12, The Ark reported. There's video of the interaction and an investigation underway. 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. Khalif, who designs most of the companys clothing, grew up in the Kibera slums of Nairobi, Kenya. In response to public outcry, Blasi offered his resignation from the Tiburon Police department, which went into effect September 1. Critics of the officers handling of the incident note that Blasi did not de-escalate the encounter on his arrival. Several months later, the store was named Tiburons Business of the Month. 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. I expressed to him that there was no crime going on and we were going about our business. Grime died in a hospital two days later. A Black business owner believes he was racially profiled by police as he was filling inventory inside his store last Friday at 1 a.m. Blasi begins asking the same questions as the first officer, including what the three were doing there late at night. Protesters march Saturday, Jan. 28, in Memphis, Tenn., over the death of Tyre Nichols, who died after being beaten by Memphis police. This is around 1AM. In response to public outcry, Blasi offered his resignation from the Tiburon Police department, which went into effect September 1. Still, other locals questioned Khalifs reaction to the police, and said he should have proved ownership when asked. Required fields are marked *. In 1999 the department moved into its current location at 1155 Tiburon Blvd. The recording shows a Tiburon officer, identified as supervising Sgt. Some days we have to work late. 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. Cronin's announcement comes one week after Sgt. 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 . Then finally, the cop decided to come knock on our store door. We saw him drive around the block like 3 times. During hours when the department is closed, visitors can be directly connected to our dispatch center via a phone outside our front entrance. Is it your store? Khalif, who has lived in Tiburon for nearly 10 years, and Awash are well-known in the Tiburon business community. They opened the athletic apparel boutique in February. Sept. 10, 2020 1:17 AM PT. His accomplishment was widely covered in the TV and print media, including in The Ark. The heated exchange, which began shortly after 1 a.m. Aug. 21, was partially recorded from inside the store by Khalifs friend while his partner and store co-founder, Hawi Awash, stood back from the door. In addition to normal police activities, the police station also houses the Emergency Operations Center, which is equipped to manage disaster response for Tiburon and Belvedere. After the video of the incident was posted on Yemas Instagram and went viral, discussion caught like wildfire across social media platforms. I was not specifically aware of that event.. 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. Thank you sir, thats all I needed to know. Accountability for our actions is something that everyone should want, doubly so from public servants whose job is to keep us safe, wrote Nate Lee, a Tiburon resident. Tiburon officials say an independent investigation is now underway, which is the reason why officers were not at Thursday's meeting. OK, thats fine. I stood my ground that day, but this did not hit me until next day, he said. Chanis said 60 people provided public comment during the four-hour forum. ", Supervisor: "Then show me that it's your store. TAKE ACTION: Find resources to help with equality, justice and race issues. 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. An officers observations of perceived race, sex and age are standard when reporting in to dispatchers, as well as in logs and police reports. 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. Your email address will not be published. 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. The protest, which featured a diverse array of Black speakers in the community, including Marin residents Paul Austin and Amber Allen-Peirson, called for police reformation, community reparations, and institutionalized changes to prevent further racial profiling. Blasi made $10,122 a month. The lawyer will interview the people involved in the incident starting mid-September. 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. Tiburon officials have selected a San Mateo police lieutenant as the town's next police chief, filling a post that had been vacant for six months. 2020 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Also sacked were Sgt. Laurie Nilsen is the Emergency Services Coordinator for both towns. After Cronins exit, the town arranged for Undersheriff Jamie Scardina to run the police department on a part-time interim basis while a consulting firm recruited a new chief. One of several discussion threads on Nextdoor.com had racked up 234 comments by the Arks press deadline. Michael Blasi, resigned in the aftermath. Even after the supervisor walked away, the officer who first approached the store said, "Can you put the key in the door please?". They were politely doing the job they were hired for and if the owner had cooperated right away there would not have been an issue.. D, Tiburon, CA 94920 |. Then show me that its your store, said the officer. Michael Blasi was the supervising officer on Aug.. In our 50th year serving Tiburon, Belvedere & Strawberry. Khalif recalled saying, you came here because you saw three Black people in the store.. Several months later, the store was named Tiburons Business of the Month. He also holds a masters degree in security studies from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey. Would dismantling Interstate 980 repair damage to Black neighborhoods? "Had that white neighbor not said anything that night, maybe Yema wouldn't be here with us today and I would let that sink in for a minute," says Hawi Awash. Scott Adams faces consequence culture as U.S. newspapers drop Dilbert, Rapid demise of Dilbert no surprise to some who were watching, Elon Musk tweets support for Dilbert creator Scott Adams after racist tirade. Yesterday was one of those days. 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. Then show me its your store, Blasi responds. Blasi offered, and the town has accepted, his voluntary resignation., On the night of the alleged racial profiling incident, Khalif, his wife. Police Chief Michael Cronin said the town has engaged the services of an independent attorney to conduct an investigation into the incident. 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. We all want this to resolve in a positive way, she said, noting she hopes the incident sparks conversation about police reform and real policing that uses empathy to police our community.. 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. 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. In a later interview, Awash pointed out that there are large posters on the stores walls of both she and Khalif modeling their clothing. 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. She stressed the importance to use the incident as a learning step.. Proceeds from clothing sales help send orphans go to school. It came from knowing that in one split second they could end someones life.. Khalif: "If I tell you it's my store then what? 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. 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. Copyright 2023 KGO-TV. Reach her at 415-944-4627. 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. This isn't regular business hours, there's no customers in there. They refused to leave until I proved it, Khalif said in the post. In the incident, which was recorded on video, two Tiburon officers and a Belvedere officer pressed Yema Khalif and Hawai Awash to identify themselves after seeing them in their clothing shop at 1 a.m. Khalif claimed racial profiling, which the officers denied. 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. TIBURON, Calif. - A Tiburon couple who own a clothing store is accusing police of racially profiling them. Michael Blasi, becoming more frustrated and confrontational with Khalif, who also appears exasperated with the interaction, as the minutes go by. 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. At least three large posters of Khalif and Awash modeling their clothes are visible on the rear wall throughout the footage. 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. The police denied a racial motive and said they were doing their jobs. said Yema Khalif in a video his friend took. 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. He's hoping the recorded interaction will inspire a different conversation. Michael Blasi, who resigned not long after he was videotaped confronting a Black business owner who was unloading inventory into his store at one in the morning, last August. Another said, "I am incensed! All Access Digital offer for just 99 cents! "We are extraordinarily sad to report the loss. It first operated from 80 Main Street before moving in the late 70s into surplus military housing near its present site. Sgt. Then we see Tiburon police car patrolling. 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. Awash characterized the conversation as positive. Cronin quickly apologized, saying he stood in support of peaceful protests in Marin City and condemned racism, social injustice and police brutality. Own a clothing store is accusing police of racially profiling them Khalif in a video his friend took provided. Their clothes are visible on the rear wall throughout the footage regular business hours, there 's customers! 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