Author: Tim Dees
By PoliceOne Staff
OAKLAND, Calif. ā A Bay Area coffee shop refuses to serve uniformed cops, claiming the policy is for the āemotional and physical safetyā of customers.
KTVU reports that an Oakland sergeant was turned away at the Hasta Muerte Coffee shop last month. According to a letter sent to the shop by the Oakland police union, the sergeant was told by staff that it doesnāt serve police officers.
āObviously, this is both a surprise and a matter of concern for all Oakland police officers,ā the letter said.
Staff at Hasta Muerte, which means āuntil deathā in Spanish, didnāt comment on the situation or respond to the unionās letter, according to KNTU. A post on the shopās Instagram account referenced an exchange with a uniformed officer on Feb. 16.
“Talk to your neighbors, not the police,ā the post read. “We have a policy of asking police to leave for the physical and emotional safety of our customers and ourselves.”
Oakland City Councilmember Noel Gallo spoke with the cafeās managers and confirmed itās their unwritten policy to not serve LEOs.
“I don’t agree with that, 100 percent,” Gallo added. “I think we need to work together, not against each other.”
The sergeant who was turned away said he was surprised by the policy and is looking forward to speaking with the shop owners and build a relationship with them and the rest of the community.
