Restaurant says it has commitment to upholding "social and racial justice" values
San Francisco police union fires back at bakery's refusal of service to officers: 'Cut out the bulls---'
San Francisco Police Union disputes bakery refusal of officer service. SPOA President Lt. Tracy McCray criticizes hidden bias and urged transparency.
The San Francisco Police Officer Association (SPOA) is clapping back at a local bakery that refused service to one of its officers last week due to a policy that bars anyone "armed and in a uniform" from service.
"Let's just put all kidding aside — that's directed at police officers," SPOA President Lt. Tracy McCray told Fox News Digital. "Because who do you see visible most of the time? So, just cut out the bulls--, just say what you mean, and we can move on."
Last week, Arab bakery and restaurant Reem's California would not serve an officer on duty who was reportedly coming off a 16-hour shift and working overtime at the King of the Streets car show. An employee at the bakery told the officer they do not serve people who are "armed and in uniform," according to SPOA.
McCray emailed the establishment to inquire about the policy. She received a response from a spokesperson who claimed the restaurant does in fact "have a policy to not serve anyone that is armed in a uniform." Fox News Digital obtained a copy of the email.
SAN FRANCISCO RESTAURANT DEFENDS DENYING SERVICE TO ARMED POLICE OFFICERS: 'WE WERE UNCOMFORTABLE'
San Francisco, USA - May 29, 2014: A cruiser of the San Francisco Police Department parked in downtown San Francisco. (iStock)
"All officers are welcome to come to our establishment when they are off duty and not armed," the spokesperson wrote.
McCray asked Reem's if they would put up a sign about the policy, so officers would know not to frequent the business. She did not receive a response back.
In a follow-up statement, Reem's posted a statement to Instagram claiming the restaurant "has a deep commitment to uplifting social and racial justice in our communities."
"This includes fostering an environment of safety for our staff and customers. In a time of increased gun violence – particularly impacting people of color, youth, and queer people – we believe that maintaining a strict policy of prohibiting guns in our restaurant keeps us safer," the Aug. 25 statement read.
"Many members of our community have been impacted by gun violence, whether that be experience on the streets of San Francisco, having come from war or occupation, or having increased fears due to a growing climate of political extremism. All too often, Black and brown people, and poor people are the victims of this violence," it continued.
McCray said the statement is "disingenuous" after she only received a two-sentence email confirming what SPOA deems a "no cops allowed" policy.
"How do you enforce that?" McCray asked of the policy. "Is this the honor system? You come in, and does everyone ask you, ‘Are you armed?’"
Reem isn't the first business to reject service to police officers in the liberal city. The owners of the restaurant Hilda and Jesse also refused service to three on-duty police officers in 2021, citing the business as a "safe space," and a pizza shop fired an employee in January for turning away several officers.
SAN FRANCISCO PIZZA SHOP FIRES EMPLOYEE WHO TOLD POLICE OFFICERS THEY 'WERE NOT WELCOME'
San Francisco Police Department vehicle (Fox News Digital/Lisa Bennatan)
According to the San Francisco Standard, the San Francisco Police Department said in an emailed statement Friday that "while businesses have the right, within the constraints of the law, to decide who they will and will not serve, the San Francisco Police Department remains steadfast in its commitment to meeting the public safety needs of ALL residents, businesses and visitors to our city no matter who they are."
Reem's, which is temporarily closed until Sept. 5, did not respond to a request for comment by the time of publication.
Jamie Joseph is a writer who covers politics. She leads Fox News Digital coverage of the Senate.
