A SAN FRANCISCO POLICE OFFICER WAS ASKED TO LEAVE A BAKERY BECAUSE OF A STRICT POLICY AGAINST GUNS INSIDE THE STORE.

THE REFUSAL OF SERVICE – HAS IGNITED CONTROVERSY AND DIVISION.

SOME SUPPORTING THE ESTABLISHMENT  –

OTHERS SLAMMING IT – OVER THEIR DECISION TO TURN AWAY A POLICE OFFICER.

THE SAN FRANCISCO POLICE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION POSTED ON THE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM “X” QUOTE –

“NO COPS ALLOWED. THAT’S THE CONFIRMED POLICY OF THE BAKERY CHAIN REEM’S.

ONE OF OUR OFFICERS WAS DENIED SERVICE LAST WEEKEND BECAUSE HE WAS IN UNIFORM.

IN AN EMAIL TO THE ASSOCIATION – THE ARAB BAKERY “REEM’S” CONFIRMED THE REFUSAL OF SERVICE.

QUOTE –

“AT REEM’S WE DO HAVE A POLICY TO NOT SERVE ANYONE THAT IS ARMED IN A UNIFORM. ALL OFFICERS ARE WELCOME TO COME TO OUR ESTABLISHMENT WHEN THEY ARE OFF DUTY – AND NOT ARMED.”

BUT SAN FRANCISCO POLICE – SAY THE BAKERY HAS LOST THEIR BUSINESS.

QUOTE –

“WE ARE NOT ASKING REEM’S OR ANY BUSINESS WITH A “BIGOTED POLICY” TO SERVE OUR OFFICERS. WE’RE ASKING THEM TO OWN THEIR DISCRIMINATORY POLICY AND PUT UP A SIGN SO WE KNOW NOT TO SPEND MONEY IN YOUR ESTABLISHMENT ON – OR OFF – DUTY.”

AFTER NEWS SPREAD ONLINE OF THE BAKERY’S REFUSAL TO SERVE ON-DUTY POLICE OFFICERS –

THOSE ON SOCIAL MEDIA – TOOK SIDES.

IN AN INSTAGRAM POST – REEMS JUSTIFIED THEIR POSITION.

QUOTE –

“AT REEM’S WE AIM TO PROVIDE A SPACE WHERE PEOPLE CAN EAT DELICIOUS ARAB FOOD AND WORK TOGETHER TO STRENGTHEN OUR COMMUNITY, WITHOUT FEAR OF VIOLENCE OR HARASSMENT.”

WITH THE HASHTAG “WE TAKE CARE OF US.”

MORE THAN ONE THOUSAND PEOPLE COMMENTED WITH **THEIR TAKE.

THE MOST “LIKED” COMMENT READS QUOTE –

“WOULD YOU WELCOME AN ARMED COP IF YOU WERE BEING ROBBED? MY SINCERE HOPE IS THAT YOUR BUSINESS GOES THE WAY OF BUD LITE.”

REFERRING TO A BOYCOTT THAT TANKED THE BEER COMPANY’S SALES.

ANOTHER USER COMMENTED QUOTE – “AT NO POINT IS ANYONE AFRAID OF AN ARMED POLICE OFFICER IN A BAKERY UNLESS THEY ARE A CRIMINAL. PRACTICE WHAT YOU PREACH ON INCLUSIVITY AND SAFETY.”

OTHERS SUPPORTED THE BAKERY’S DECISION.

ONE USER COMMENTED “THANK YOU FOR KEEPING CUSTOMERS SAFE FROM TRIGGER HAPPY COPS WITH QUALIFIED IMMUNITY.”

AND ANOTHER QUOTE “WHETHER YOU AGREE OR NOT, THIS IS THEIR RIGHT AS BUSINESS OWNERS IN AMERICA.”

THAT USER – IS RIGHT.

THE SAN FRANCISCO POLICE DEPARTMENT ACKNOWLEDGES–

BUSINESSES HAVE THE RIGHT – WITHIN THE CONSTRAINTS OF THE LAW –

TO DECIDE WHO THEY WILL AND WILL NOT SERVE.

SAN FRANCISCO P-D PROMISED TO CONTINUE SERVING ALL MEMBERS – AND **BUSINESSES – INSIDE ITS COMMUNITY.

THIS ISN’T THE FIRST TIME THE REFUSAL TO SERVE A POLICE OFFICER IN SAN FRANCISCO HAS MADE HEADLINES.

IN DECEMBER OF 2021 – HILDA AND JESSE – A BRUNCH SPOT IN THE CITY –

ASKED THREE ON-DUTY POLICE OFFICERS TO LEAVE BECAUSE EMPLOYEES FELT “UNEASY” IN THE PRESENCE OF THEIR GUNS.

AFTER BACKLASH AND NEGATIVE ONLINE REVIEWS –

THE OWNERS OF THE ESTABLISHMENT APOLOGIZED AND CALLED IT A “TEACHABLE MOMENT.”