By Cornelia Seigneur
When I blogged about the experience I had at a local café in Portland where my daughter and I were having a quiet conversation with a Portland Police officer before we were interrupted by the café owner, who asked the police officer to leave, I never dreamed that the response would be so passionate or so numerous — to be honest, I don’t receive a lot of comments on my blog. I suppose I have not written about such an emotional issue before. I surely did not intend any controversy or to bash an establishment. I merely wanted to share my story. (I had actually gone to the Red and Black out of curiosity as I was working on a story for The Oregonian about Matt Mikalatos, the author of the book Imaginary Jesus, http://imaginaryjesus.com/ whose story is set at the Red and Black.)
I just had to write about it.
I write because that is how I process life. I write because I have to put my heart on paper. I write because I like to share stories. I write to bring light to the world. I write to share good things people are doing. And, as a believer, I write for justice.
I write because I have to write. It is what I do. It is who I am.
As I read through the comments, I am amazed at the amount of support that the Police enjoys in this city. I am intrigued with the many articulate thought provoking comments people made about the good that the police do. I was moved by the comments from the families of Police, Fire or EMT who serve tirelessly without a lot of fanfare or recognition.
I think of the comments from supporters of the decision of the café to ask the police officer to leave its establishment. I was surprised at how volatile people were toward the Police in general, and not just Portland Police. One comment implied that I had not taken the time to find out what the café owner believed and why they felt “unsafe” with the officer there. I did speak at length with the café co-owner, and we just did not get very far as he spoke of this notion how, in the case of a robbery, he would call his friends rather than the police. What does that look like practically, I wondered?
One reader commented that I was simply a white, suburbanite who has no idea what it is like in North Portland. And I answer that the very point of what I was trying to talk to the police officer at the café about, was our Sudan refugee friends who lived in North Portland, one of whom – a 14 year old — the Police saved.
As I spoke with the café owner, I really never got a direct answer as to why he personally felt unsafe with a police officer in his establishment.
Bottom line, I think especially of the policeman I met at the red and black, Officer James Crooker, a human being who should be treated with respect and honor, like all human beings. I think of how humiliating it must have been to be asked to leave a café for no other reason than your profession. It was pure and simple discrimination. Yet, he handled it with such class and dignity. I was sad for him. My point was not to start a dialogue of whether people felt Police was necessary in America, but instead to simply ask why was a police officer asked to leave a café?
I wanted the police officer to know that so many people support what they do to try to keep the rest of us safe. He kept talking about the importance of education. What the officer wants is to start a dialogue in this city, to talk reasonably about issues, to let them know he will always respond with kindness to people even if they are unkind. He is there to do his job.
What I did not want to happen in my original blog post was for it to become a place for meanness and finger pointing and name calling. I just wanted to share my story, to bring light to what happened. There were several blog comments that I just did not want to publish as they used profanity and speculation and labeling. From both sides of the issue.
My hope is the same as what the officer hopes for — open conversation, honest dialogue, without name calling. For justice on all sides.
Exactly the reason why I write.
http://www.corneliaseigneur.com/where%e2%80%99s-a-portland-police-officer-to-get-a-cup-of-coffee/
http://www.corneliaseigneur.com/blue-ribbon-campaign-police-deserve-a-cup-of-coffee-facebook-page/
Just like in society there are probably 10 percent of the people who are bad and a real threat to law abiding citizens, the same is probably true for police officers. Unfortunately, the 90 percent of police officers DO NOT root out the 10 percent which make law abiding citizens like the cafe owner not want them around. The small number of cops make it bad for them all but most departments are too stupid to realize it and take appropriate criminal action against rogue cops, which DO EXIST!
Stumbled over this and would like to just add one important links to this discussion:
http://www.policemisconduct.net/2010-npmsrp-police-misconduct-statistical-report/#_Conclusion
If you look into the summary report, you will find that police officers are disproportionally breaking the law (compared to the public overall) and that they are as well disproportionally escape punishment (the blue wall).
On a second thought, while the crime rate of legal concealed carry weapons holders is substantially lower than the crime rate of the population, the crime rate of police is about double that of the population. The reasons for such can be found in sociological-economical backgrounds of the according state and individuals.
Maybe your unfounded trust in all things uniform should be critically inspected. Also note that this does in no way try to explain why the coffee shop owner acted as he did.
I seriously don’t get what the issue is. Yes, it was career discrimination and the officer understood and accepted that, saying that he understood it was because of the uniform and not the person, plus he did actually get his coffee. I’m sure he is a good cop and actually enforces laws and catches dangerous criminals( wasn’t he supposed to be out there catching criminals instead of hanging out in cafes, anyway?). But the reason he was kicked out was because most of the people there had experienced the bad kind of cop before and were afraid of him because they did not know him and whether he was a good cop or a bad one. I’m sure if he had returned not in uniform he would have been allowed to stay there as long as he pleased. The truth is they probably should have had a vote to kick him out, but there are better issues to be worrying about. Actually, this article was good, since it raised awareness of the red and black cafe and helped them buy the building they work in and make better food. So, thank you.
You need to wake up and stop being deluded about the police. In the USA, they’re trained to act aggressively and confrontationally, and to ignore rights and follow Nazi orders. They’re Nazis and Langley was right to kick the guy out. Now instead of just automatically going into unthinking “cops are good” mode, actually RESEARCH what I just wrote.
Great post. The owner(s) of the Red and Black Cafe showed their true colors: Arrogant Hypocrites, Elitists, Narrow-Minded BIGOTS.
As the mother of an officer fatally shot in the line of duty in 2005, I was appalled to read of the discriminatory treatment of a Portland officer in the Red and Black Cafe. The sad fact is that no matter how lousy the attitude of that restaurant’s owners/staff, the police will come to their aid if they need police help. Their protestations that in the event of trouble, the staff would call their friends for help is just plain silly. Like everyone else, they would dial 911 and a responding officer would show up, even if it meant risking his/her life. I have been steamed since reading of this encounter…no doubt these folks believe in karma and laws of attraction and so do I. We just probably have very different opinions of what would be just. Thank you for your support of the brotherhood and sisterhood of law enforcement from a mom who understands all too well the sacrifice those serving their community make each time they pin on a badge and go to work to keep us safe.
Phyllis Loya, mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD (CA), eow 4/24/05
What saddens me is in the midst of so many police officers being murdered simply because of their uniform this co-owner of a business would ask an officer to leave for the same reason. He was fine taking his coffee money but not okay with this officer talking to a lady about how important education is? As a business owner myself I am appalled. As a wife of a police officer who is kind, has saved lives, and seen thing you never want anyone to see, I am appalled. I am appalled at the discrimination of those who dislike police officers and how they are acting this out in public—killing four Lakewood officers because of their badge? Either this ‘manager’ does not read the news or he’s heartless. One day he will thank an officer because whether he likes it or not, they will come to the rescue of someone he knows and/or loves—fate has a funny way of working. Officer Crooker, you are a CLASS ACT and do your badge proud!! Mr. Co-owner, I hope you go out of business. You are a disgrace to business owners and our country. I know that sound mean, but we have no room for this kind of hatred in our society.
I wonder how a soldier in uniform would be treated in the Red and Black.
Divided by zero–this is why everyone should feel threatened by anarchists and the ELF/ALF movement
http://www.scpr.org/news/2010/04/05/texas-man-sentenced-prison-elf-related-plot-burn-p/
“Sudan refugee friends”
LOL. Such a White person thing to do: writing about having “Black” friends in order to downplay her/his privilege.
Beautiful writing Cornelia. Keep it up. Because of you, i go out of my way to say “thank you” to every police officer I meet from now on…
Cafe Incident
http://connect.lawofficer.com/profiles/blogs/portlands-first-class-police?xg_source=activity
I think that there is more to the story than a police officer being denied his human rights. He was in uniform. That changes his status from regular citizen to militarized law enforcement officer. Whether you agree or disagree with the use of force, Portland Police are known for it. I think that even people who think police officers are wonderful humans can detect the trail of the problem there. In addition, many other businesses in Portland refuse to serve people based on decisions similar to profession and association. It is considered acceptable in those contexts. Police officers are not saints. Non-traditional people are not sinners. It’s a complex situation that deserves more thought than knee-jerk reactions.
It just amazes me that thi sguy would do something like that. He was “offended” because the officer came in for a cup of coffee in uniform, and even has the nerve to say he wouldn’t serve the officer again if he came in. My question is, who will he call if someone causes problem in his lovely establishment, or robs him? Yeap, he will call the cops. Perhaps the responding officers should say that they won’t respond to his place because they don’t want to offend him, but unlike this pathetic guy, the responding officers have too much class and will still respond if called by him
Some of these responses are really scary in their paranoia. Living in Portland, using Trimet for hours upon hours of commuting each week, I realize that there are some truly unhinged individuals living here, but when you read their dillusions in black and white, it makes me glad the police are out there as well! I think I’ll thank the next one I see, particularly if they are on the MAX.
The convesation here for Portlanders is what do you stand for? Do you stand for acceptance, diversity, justice, kindness, and all the other phrases that come to mind when thinking about a progressive, modern city which is known as being “different”..or better yet “weird”? Do we want to be weird because we discriminate, are mean spirited, hateful, and do not embrace all peoples, or do we want to be different because we epitomize acceptance…no matter who or what you are?
My personal opinioin of most policman…and I have lived in many large and small cities, have traveled extensively, is that most are your friends. Of course that is the way I approach everyone, no matter how they are dressed, what color they are, what profession they have, or what nationality. I dont just talk the talk of non-discrimination, I actually live it. That’s what I loved about Portland…we are committed to the practice of what we preach in the area of diversity. Hopefully, this will instill in everyone a new perspective on that commitment.
This is why you and everyone should feel threatened by the police
Itst his business he can have who he wants to come in and serve and thats final and can say who he serves and thats final. police its there job i ma cop i get paid to do it….just like a plumber or banker or lawyer or dog groomer or farmer or babysitter or nanny….if your job attends with the capacity to get you killed then it your fault you know the risks of the job and again you get paid to do it…its just a job…..period your no special to any other citizen in the usa…period get over over it portland police supporters its a job a guy doesnt want to serve him its his busines no questions asked its his business….period!!!!!!
That life that was saved by a cop would not have been in danger if the police did not enforce all the laws (the War on People who use unapproved of medicine, prostitution prohibition, etc.) that create the violent gangs. Owners of liquor stores aren’t in shootouts. The police create immensely more crime than there would be without them, yet when someone robs you the chance of the cops getting your stuff back is slim to none. All this idolatry is very disheartening. And the Nuremberg defense of just following orders is no excuse. But thank you for bringing attention to this example of private heroism.
I lived in Portland for over 10 years. For the past four years I have lived in Louisiana.While living in a drug infested corner of N.E. Mallory&Failing St.,I got to see first hand the need for the P.D. Love them,Hate them, but we all need them. Besides,cops& coffee= Peace!
since you have written yr hilarious piece our beloved cafe has seen record sales and received international support. Thanks for the free advertisement. Never thought a pathetic busy body like yourself could be so useful.
Way to go officer crooker for his professionalism.I am a new york city cop,and have been denied to use the bathroom in an establishment.Just laughed it off and stopped by every day for a week to ask to use it again.
Kudos to the officer for having such grace and composure. Police officers should never be treated like this. They put their lives on the line to serve us.
God works in mysterious ways sometimes but this time I think it is evident to see you were there to be a witness and do his work with love and respect, just like the officer. Write it sister!
Actually, Red And Black have been known to have problems far worse than police officers staging obvious naked provocations. Without getting into details, suffice it to say that the R&B folks aren’t in the habit of calling the cops when the spit hits the fan.
All that you need to know about this writer–politically, personally and professionally–is that her only article about Portland police deals with the “injustice” suffered by an officer asked to leave a cafe after being served his coffee. She has written a grand total of zero words about people murdered by Portland police. That she can touch off a right-wing firestorm of backlash should come as a surprise to no one. Indeed, there is never a shortage of nervous, middle class elements to provide their services, free of cost, to the power of reaction and repression.
That cafe owner is a simple minded idiot but he probably things of himself as progressive.
I hope people will take action by spreading the word and not eating there.
Considering the typical customers are targeted by police and some of them likely had their faces bashed and/or have been arrested by police illegally, it makes sense.
Come live in Detroit. You will wish more cops were in your shop. And if you made that statement on 7 mile son about not calling the police they would not only rob you but strip your building down to the foundation just to get all the copper to scrap and not one friend you called could do a thing to help you in this town.
I hope that place goes out of business.
I am old enough to realize what a-hole people can be, still it comes as a shock. Some people who thinkthey are so free are so hateful. we needcops to protect us from the idiots who think they are sooo cool.
Don’t feel bad for the officer, Ms. Siegneur; feel bad for the cafe owner, who chooses to paint the police with a broad brush. I’m sure the cafe owner believes he has commands a higher level of enlightenment, but, unfortunately, his discriminatory, closed-minded views prove otherwise.
I find it very ironic that a business establishment that exercises socialism would be so anti-police when socialist governments seem to have to the most oppressive police forces.
We all know, that if there was a situation in that coffee shop, one where there was danger, that the Communists (and look at their web site, that’s what they are) would be calling, crying, and begging for the police to show up.
So not only is it disrepectful of them, it also shows what hypocrites they are.
Thanks again for standing up for the Officer (and war vet as well).
First of all Bravo Zulu to Officer Crooker for being a professional. Just a little reminder to the co-owner of the Red and Black. If you decide to call your friends instead of the police to help you in a bad situation things could go wrong rather quickly. I hope that you have considered what the inside of a 6 by 8 foot room looks like, because that is exactly where you could spend the remainder of your days. Have the respect for what the officer is trying to do and stand for. You were disrespectful to one of the good ones. You know the conversation that he was having would have only last a few minutes, because he would have to be back on patrol very quickly. An open apology to him and the police department as a hole will go a long ways, Just some food for thought. Oh and don’t worry, I really don’t think that any other officer will ever give your establishment any business ever again.
I am grateful that you wrote about this. I hope that my young ones follow the example that the Portland Police Officer set. He did not take the owner’s wishes personally, understands his role as a police officer, and does not allow people’s ignorance of the job to influence his reactions (ignorance in this case is defined as not knowing all aspects of what it is like to be a police officer). Many police officers are good people; for this officer to react in this manner is a great testament to who he is and a fine example to the profession. Thank you for showing the good side of the profession. It’s a breath of fresh air.
Actually, KP, as a public accommodation – the owner does NOT have a right to deny service to anyone. That aside, as a retired (25 years) New York City PD officer I’d like to compliment Cornelia for her graciousness towards the officer. Let’s see how the owners remark that if he was robbed he’d call his friends rather than the cops works out for him. I expect the cops will come anyway because that’s their job and they do it even for people who don’t like them much, and in the likely event it would be to hang a toe tag on his body.
I don’t personally expect the Portland department will miss not grabbing a cup of coffee at the Red and Black anyway.
I think a “coffee summit” with President Obama and these three – the employee, the officer and the customer/blogger, is in order.
Thank you for your thoughts and recounting of the situation Ms. Seigneur.
Actually, the police officer mentioned that one reason he stopped for a cup of coffee at the location is to build his awareness of the establishments in his district. That sounds reasonable to me. I also suspect he wanted a cup of coffee between calls. Like one of the other posters I think it interesting that they served him first, THEN told him he was not welcome. Like Ms. Seigneur, my feeling was the officer deserved far better and responded as best he could under the circumstances of dealing with a fool during the course of his work.
There is a guy in Nashville, Tennessee who delights in walking up and down public streets with a pink-painted AK pistol. I believe he has the right to do so, yet also believe he’s a fool as well. In this particular incident, the owner is certainly within his rights to refuse customers service. I also think he’s a fool as well. My personal decision, not subject to debate.
Equally, customers are free to patronize other establishments more to their liking as to environment and community attitude. I am sure there are Starbucks in the area and they have no problem with customers and firearms. I urge those offended to vote with their dollars for those businesses which reflect their values and beliefs while providing a safe and pleasurable experience.
I Open Carry often, Concealed Carry the rest of the time and always have a firearm at hand unless there is a valid ban on possession in the location, an individual homeowner has expressly stated they will not tolerate firearms in their home or the business owner has expressly stated that armed customers are not welcome in their establishment. In those instances I take my business and socializing elsewhere. Next time I visit Portland, I’ll do my best to remember to stay away from the Red and Black Cafe. As I said, I am sure there is a Starbucks or two which will welcome my business.
I want to thank you for standing up to do what is right! A Police Officer is there to protect us. Only if you’ve broken the law or don’t do as they ask are you upset with them for doing their duty. My hats off to each and every one of them! And my hats of to you for speaking the truth about what happened. With any luck and the smartness of people in general, that coffee the Cafe owner sold to the PO will be the last!
every police officer in portland knows what the red and black is. period. ask the officer. he’ll tell you.
I am a Retired Michigan State Trooper with 33 years of service to the citizens of Michigan. Officer Crooker can be proud of himself and his profession. Proud of himself because of his dignity and restraint. Proud of his profession because he chose it with the desire to better his community. It is sad that any citizen would do what the owner of the cafe chose to do, but as the owner, he has the right to choose to whom he shall serve in his cafe. I would hope that nothing bad would happen to the cafe owner that would nessitate calling 911 for assistance. Apparently he has stirred up a hornet’s nest. I believe that he just has no idea what is involved in law enforcement and the dangers that officers face every day. I worked me entire career on the streets…. Glad I am retired and if I had to do it all over again, I wouldn’t change my career path for one second. Officer Crooker is an asset to his agency and his command officers should be proud of him also.
Yeah for the Red and Black–take the po po’s money and kick them to the curb–
This whole thing seems like a set up to me…
Bravo to Officer Crooker and his committment to our community. It’s amazing to me that after all of the huge triumphs for civil rights, that a police officer who is bound to uphold such laws for the benefit of the community, at his own peril, is discriminated against. The owner had no problem taking his money! The Red and Black Cafe’s actions are an embarrassment to the City of Portland. They are no different then those who refused service to African Americans. Makes a person wonder what is in that building that would make the owner feel uncomfortable?
Subject: Police officer ride-along
I am a 47-year-old mother of two young children living in Raleigh Hills. We have a family friend who is a police officer in Vancouver WA. Several years ago, I took him up on the offer of a “ride along”. It was one of the best decisions I have made. I have a whole new understanding of the job and a year’s worth of experiences from one evening. At no time did I feel unsafe.
Your ability to write coupled with the officer’s offer to take you with him could be very compelling reading. I urge you to consider his offer.
I certainly found your recent postings enlightening, heartening, and extremely well written.
Happy Friday to you.
Laura
Mrs. Seigneur,
Thank You for producing a classy, informative, well written from the heart article. I normally do not follow blogs but I think I will follow yours now. Have a great weekend!
And Thank You to all our Law Enforcement personnel for protecting and serving us.
While I don’t share the business-man’s opinion of cops, he certainly has the right to refuse service to anyone he chooses for any reason he chooses. I don’t think he made the right choice in this instance, however, and I’m sorry that any cop had to go through that, let alone Jim Crooker. I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Jim while he was an officer in CdA. Just one more thing to come along and make me wonder why a cop stays a cop for so long…after everything they do for others – why?
Wow. Cornelia, Officer Crooker, and an idiot come together for a few seconds and the world hears about it, discusses it and takes sides. Clearly people who have access to the internet (perhaps better educated judging from the writings on this blog) are intelligent enough to know who is in the right. Very few in favor of the idiot. Good thing, too (just so you know where I stand). Great reading material; better than a good book. Maybe all three will get asked to be on Oprah or the Larry King Show. And hey, maybe the idiot will actually agree to show up, open his mouth, and continue to say stupid things and get booed off the air. His cafe will lose business and close down, and he’ll be homeless and the police will tell him to stop defecating in my doorway and move on off the sidewalk. Then he will hate the cops all the more. Sigh, will it never end?
All discrimination isn’t equal. A police getting tossed from a coffee shop is small potatoes compared with abusive law enforcement tactics like racial profiling. This is a golden opportunity for police to feel what the victims of their bigotry go through all too routinely and strive to obey the Equal Protection Clause of the Constitution they have sworn to uphold.
I am going to be drinking beaucoup coffee at the Red & Black.
Thank-you so much for this blog. I wasn’t sure what to think when I first saw this on CNN.com, so I clicked it. I was completely disgusted. As a former fast food manager, I can honestly say I would never kick out a police officer. Heck we always gave cops free coffee, and i had a few that would come through drive through for refills. It’s good for business and security. Even if that cop isn’t there at the time a guy is out robbing places, if he cases the establishment, and sees cops in there all the time, he’ll likely go somewhere else.
I wouldn’t even have a clue what Red & Black meant & easily would have stopped in for coffee if I were in the area.
Why must the officer *know* everything about that establishment as well? Isn’t Portland a big city? If it wasn’t in his normal area perhaps he, just like me, needed a cup of joe to kick start his brain.
How absolutely asinine of the owner to TAKE the money THEN deny him the right to stay.
To the officer, thank you for all you do to keep Portland safe and acting like a grown-up when Mr. Langley had his power trip.
:o)
My 84 year old mother recognized some of the faces from the crowd of criminals that were in the riots in Portland recently. No wonder his clientelle feels uncomfortable around police, they are a bunch of criminals. what does that say for who the manager throws out and keeps?
In the history of the 911 emergency program, Langley and his business establishment may be the first to get a recorded message that states… “You are the fifth person in line. Your call will be answered in the order in which it was taken…”
Dustin quite frankly if your post wasn’t so angering I would laugh at your ignorant comments.
I am currently unemployed and have been for almost 2 years because of people like you and President Obama. I am currently about as poor as I can get.
But the difference between me and you and the other whiners out there is I am going to school. I lost my job due to a stupid decision on my previous managers part not due to anything I did. I could sit around and mope and be bitter and send threatening letters and go out on the street corner and use and sell crack. However, I have my pride, my brain and a strong will. I am like those millions who came to America with nothing and fought their way to a destiny they could look back and be proud of.
Castigation of the poor indeed.
How long did it take you to look that word up in the dictionary any way?
Dustin, Castigate the poor classes?
Ooooooh please.
You do realize that 99% of the time that the Police get into a row with people is because they were either doing something illegal or they were intending to do something illegal and just got caught before they had a chance to.
You don’t here the white trash in SouthEast Portland going on and on about how bad the Potland pOlice are.
They get busted and do their time. Please let’s get serious here folks and lose the liberal whitewashed college level pscychology BS Dustin.
The difference between the 99.999% of the police in Portland Oregon is so far and removed from the Police in late 19th Century and early 20th Century South it’s pathetic and so is your attempt at focusing the blame on the Police boogeyman.
You know I grew up watching Eldredge Cleaver talking on the street corners in Oakland California. They used the same rhetoric for political purposes, but at least the Black Panthers were honest enough to admit it was all politics.
And your sorry stale trite expressions about the rich setting up property lines and keeping the poor out is as stale as when I heard it in the 60’s in Berkely.
I can guarantee you that if i had the unfortunate displeasure of knowing you in person and walked up to you on a street corner and smashed your nose in and stole your car you would be the very first running to the local phone to call the police and tell them your woes.
I never would because you are quite frankly beneath me and not worth my time as it’s not worth my time to squish a bug. You agnostic socialists are all the same. You push out God, you push the line of reason with your communistic rhetoric, and you try to make hard working honest decent citizens feel guilty for having something that those who chose to cheat and steal and be lazy don’t have when if they were hard working productive members of society instead of trying to blame everyone for what they don’t have they would have it too.
Bison, I would agree that in an Utopian society and setting it would be nice that we didn’t need police. However since the garden of Eden when Adam chose to eath the forbidden fruit and violate God’s perfect community and communion, there has been a need for Police, and for armies.
We can wish for peace and fair tales and harmony all we want, problem is those people in North Portland who cry wolf at the face of Portland Police are 90% of the time the first to instigate issues with the police. If they weren’t in the wrong place at the wrong time they wouldn’t be in the mess they were in.
I took a psychology class from a wonderful black woman a few years ago and she was writing her phd doctorate on the problem with black people is that they don’t OWN their own mistakes and problems. To anyone who thinks the majority of the problems the blacks in North Portland face are totally because of Police officers, you are sadly mistaken.
They whined and screamed when one of their own was the chief of Portland’s police.
I also find it extremely hilarious that this ignorant manager from this little hole in the wall is neither homeless nor black and I would venture to guess that none of the patrons of that locale are either.
I agree with you whole heartedly.
However I am a little more militant I guess than you. I am calling for a boycott of this restaraunt.
It is an obvious sign of one of many things which have gone terribly wrong in our society.
Are there bad police officers across the globe? Yes, but I can guarantee that there are far more who are kind and caring and gentle who are just like the one featured in your blog and on Channel 8 news.
Hi Cornelia:
Thank you for bringing this matter to everyone’s attention. I am like many who finds it odd that this so-called “anarchist hot-spot” can be so self-righteous on it’s “lawless” principles, and yet remains a functioning member of the capitalist establishment.
Even more telling is how they were willing to, for all intents and purposes, bilk this officer out of his money and THEN kick him out. Odd, isn’t it, that they would stand up for their “beliefs” only AFTER taking his cash?
I’m all for the rights of a property owner to assert your refusal of service, but to do so to a PAYING customer, well…that’s not only lacking in class, it is also illegal. Kudos to the officer for being as gracious as he was and for not making a big stink out of it…because he was certainly within his legal rights after paying for the coffee to do just that.
Cornelia,
I believe that your argument is valid. However, I also believe that due to not only present but also historical circumstances, the R&B Cafe was in the right to ask the officer to leave. If you weren’t aware, discrimination has been the mantra of Portland Police for decades. Even this past month, a man died because Portland Police pulled him over for “kind of looking like a gangster.” This is racial profiling, which is racism which is discrimination. An organization such as R&B is focused exclusively on civilian action towards social justice on essentially a nonviolent basis, unlike the Police. I have witnessed Police brutality and believe me, it is more horrific than witnessing a Police being asked to leave a cafe. Social justice is something that is made impossible when a country with a history that is rich in racism allows racial profiling in order to help solve crimes. This police officer is a human being, as are all police. However, this particular human being carries a gun legally into places such as cafes. This automatically puts a threat into any situation. We should rely on our neighbors and communities for protection, not the police. Restaurants legally have the right to not serve whoever they please.
Cornelia, I appreciate you trying to help the officers but at the same time I am a Mother who was once married to an abusive, drug using, secret-life living police officer. If I told you the unimaginable things I witnessed him and his fellow officers do in basements and house parties over the years it would make you have not talked to that officer in the first place. Police officers as I’ve learned are actually complete dirt bags and racist devil-worshipping monsters. Trust me, the owner of the Red + Black did the right thing by kicking that officer out!
Rule of law is what separates peaceful productive societies from anarchy that encourages only the Machiavellian strong to survive and prosper. Our government and local law enforcement serve and protect all citizens who are willing to conform to the rule of law. They even protect those who don’t, as was demonstrated by Officer Crooker patronizing this cafe. The disrespect of this Police Officer and former Marine is a small attack on our American way of life.
I wonder, now that the owner is getting threats because of his words, if he’s considered what he is supposed to do to make it stop? He obviously won’t call the police – right? 🙂
Thank you for posting this, and for standing against discrimination.
Thank you Ms. Seigneur!
Thanks for these fascinating posts. There are good people and bad people, friendly cops and unfriendly cops, respectful vegans and disrespectful vegans. You nailed it when you described this as a discrimination issue: discrimination based on career. The cafe owner may have had some bad experiences previously with unfriendly cops, and perhaps his patrons have too, and this led to his discriminatory behavior. That by no means excuses it though. As a vegan myself I now wonder how much of a blow this cafe owner’s action has dealt the vegan community. Are vegans now stereotyped as cop-haters? I wonder if the cafe owner is forgetting that in many jurisdictions cops are the people we call to enforce animal cruelty laws, environmental mismanagement laws, health- and food-related laws, and many others of importance to vegans. I noticed one comment mentioning that the presence of a gun may have worried the cafe owner, and I understand that sentiment entirely – but that did not appear to be the reason the officer was asked to leave. Veganism is meant to be the path of compassion; what a shame that compassion was not demonstrated here.
I know I will make sure to never knowingly spend my money in an establishment with this sort of attitude toward law enforcement.
As many have said, what you see/hear in the media about law enforcement is NOT the whole picture, it is in part, sensationalized. All police officers are not bad people, just as all vegans are not judgmental bigots.
Cornelia…as a retired LEO from Florida, thanks for the column. You mentioned that you were surprised by the amount of support the police there enjoy. I think you will find that it is part of the “silent majority” phenomenon, most folks go about their daily lives, quietly appreciative, while only those with a bone to pick speak out about the police, or indeed most other issues.
Semper Fidelis Officer Jim Crooker! Ha, you can imagine my surprise when I saw your face on television after almost 11 years you fellow Devil Dog! Were you at least able to get your cup of coffee before they kicked you out? Don’t feel bad, this Marine is banned from the Hometown Buffet in Medford. Bet you’ve never known anybody banned by Hometown Buffet before! Take care old friend!
I obviously have a very different perspective than many that read this. I’m interested in dialoguing with anyone interested in friendly conversation.
I’ll repeat what I said on Indymedia here: It’s pretty difficult to feel safe when only one person in the room has a gun.
If I walked into R&B wearing a gun they would ask me to leave also, and I’ve had more firearms training then most police officers.
This might also shed light more light on the subject.
http://www.prisonpolicy.org/scans/instead_of_prisons/
This is the alternative to policing 99% of the people at the red and black support:
http://www.criticalresistance.org/article.php?id=49
A healthy community doesn’t need police. We just need a solid relationship with those we live with.
Both of your posts have been consistent in expressing the discrimination a person was exposed to by a business that claims on their website:
“We strive to provide a community space that is safe and welcoming to all. We hope this space is used for local voices to bring awareness and education on the issues facing us today.” ( http://redandblackcafe.com/about/ )
Your blog and the police officer live their mission statement of the cafe wereas they only claim it. You have done well at being fair and balance though out the situation. Hopefully it is a learning experience for everyone. It has been for me.
I hope this incdent hits the Cafe right where they live….squarely in the bottom line. Kudos to Crooker for being an Officer *and* a gentleman.
It’s sad to me that as a society we still have a tough time learning to get along. We discriminate against people because of who they are, what they do, or a myriad of other equally unimportant issues. We are human beings – individuals – and regardless of what race, profession, sexual preference or any other discriminating factor used to segregate one person from another – we are still just individuals.
I’ve been lucky enough to be in law enforcement for twenty years and have worked with some incredible people. While there are a select few in my profession who may not honor the responsibility and trust given them by the community, more often than not our actions are misrepresented or misunderstood. We proudly stand tall in the night and willingly go into places that others are afraid to go. Most don’t ask for (or want) recognition. We are often vilified by the people we respond to help – and again, we don’t take it personally. I’m proud of the men and women who choose this noble profession, and I’m especially impressed by Officer Crooker’s responses, professionalism, and understanding in face of the treatment he received. People like Officer Crooker are the rule – not the exception – but because they do their jobs day in and day out without asking for recognition (and because it doesn’t make as good of news) there are not as many good stories as bad ones.
Thank you for writing this story – thanks for sharing it. And for what it’s worth, like Officer Crooker, I defend the store owner’s right to say what he has said, to feel the way he does, and while it saddens me that he is repeating the same type of behavior he is upset with law enforcement for… he has every right in our country to say it.
Stay safe!
Congrats for stumbling upon a divisive issue at an anarchist cafe. To the folks at Red and Black: If you need to grind your ax – go to the gulf and beat up BP and help with the clean up. Really.
Cornelia,
thank you so very much. Firstly – for taking time out of your day to talk to Officer Crooker and to thank him for doing what he does. And secondly – for being a fair-minded, articulate woman who has the guts to see wrong when it is done to someone. Not just to someone who you sympathize with, as seems to me to be the case with the owner and patrons of this bigoted establishment. Rights for me, but not for thee. As someone already pointed out – Officer Crooker’s money was good enough to take. That speaks volumes to me.
I also am a Police Officer and I am saddened to find out what happened to Officer Crooker. I commend him for his gracious reaction to the incident, exhibiting more class in one little finger than Mr Langley could ever muster. If he chooses to call his friends to the rescue in an emergency rather than the police I have no problem with that at all. I’ll be having a coffee somewhere else instead of having to rush to THAT call.
Cornelia, please keep up your good work. I enjoyed getting to know your blog (although I wish the circumstances were different) and thank you again.
Mr Langley, I will dissuade anyone I know from visiting your cafe. I don’t have time for bigots like you.
Perhaps establishments that welcome the business of peace officers should hang a “Law Enforcement welcome” sign in their window; we wouldn’t want officers taking their money somewhere it isn’t welcome. Hopefully this would make it apparent just how much of a minority places like this really are.
Dustin- I find it hard to believe that anyone that visits this particular cafe is anywhere near “Poverty”, so I don’t really see how your argument is relevant.
Albert, you are basing your assumptions on the small number of reported negative incidents with police that make the news as opposed to the much great number of interactions with police that are positive, life-saving and helpful. All jobs have bad apples. Every color, race and gender of people has bad apples. That’s life. But not allowing a police officer in your business is disrespectful.
And in general, there were three people in the place at the time, including Cornelia who thank goodness documented this. How did those two other people secreting send their disapproval to the owner?
I’m not a vegan, I’m a most of the time vegetarian with a number of friends who have made a more conscious choice of what to eat as well as friends who enjoy vegan food as choices when eating out for religious reasons. But this won’t be a place we’d ever visit.
“Tolerance implies a respect for another person, not because he is wrong or even because he is right, but because he is human.” -John Cogley
This reminds me of the scene in the Big Chill when they are discussing cops.
The cafe owner is a typical Portland anarchist jerk. The anarchist symbol is proudly displayed on his web site. He certainly has the right to feel and do what he wishes but I also hope he obeys all laws or he may find himself “harassed” by the big mean police officers with the big guns. He also has opened himself up to a law suit for refusing service to a person simply because of his profession. I hope someone sues him and that any decent citizen boycotts the place. He and his “clients” deserve each other.
i am extremely disappointed in some of the comments that were listed on your part one blog of this story. i didn’t realize some people were so ignorant. i have some negative thoughts/opinions about some police officers who have been in the news, but that doesn’t mean i have something against ALL police officers. i think the officer that went to the coffee shop sounds like a good man and he is right – people need to be better educated. i am all about supporting local places, but thanks to you i know not to give my service to this cafe. thanks for sharing.
I have read the story and it did shock me, I know many have a false idea and anger toward the police. I have worked with the police and gone on ride alongs and seeing how they are. They are just like all of us, I have seen many, many go out of their way to talk to people and make sure they are comfortable. It offends me that people still think it is acceptable to be discriminatory. I also think it is my right to not visit or support an establishment that thinks that behavior is ok. I did post the article on my face book and encourage my friends and community leaders to think about what transpired. I hope that this will not happen again. We have the right to our own opinion but to humiliate some one is totally outragous. I am thankful for the article so that as a community we can think and be reminded of how some of the public has no respect for others. Wayne was right.. he took the money,,. he didnt refuse service, he refused to be a human being..
Lisa Campos
Portland Guardian Angels
It is weird that you would feel less safe with a police officer in your cafe, than if he was not there. Couldn’t he have told the officer “I serve a lot of unusual characters, I do not want any problems here otherwise I will have to ask you to leave.”
I really can’ t blame the cafe owner for feeling uneasy around the officer. But maybe that is because he did not try to get to know him or talk with him. This could have been a good chance for the owner to ask questions about the recent happenings in Portland and how the officer felt about the issues surrounding the Portland Police.
Sorry for the double-post, but…
@Dustin: Your assessment is unbalanced. You say that police “target those in poverty”. The unfortunate truth here is that those in poverty exist in a world of drugs, prostitution and other illegal activities. It’s sad, but true that people who cannot afford to buy what they need to live will often steal it. Those who do (like anyone else) are subject to the law. It’s an unfortunate truth, and hardly “fair” in the cosmic sense, but it is simple unadulterated fact. Similarly, many people in poverty turn to drugs or prostitution–some as a means of making money to survive, some as an escape. Whatever the reason, this is still very illegal. Again, in the scheme of things it’s not fair that they should be in that situation but the plain fact here is thus: people in poverty commit more crimes (and are caught committing a greater percentage of their crimes) than people who are not in poverty. People who aren’t in poverty get caught less often because they can take smaller risks or use resources to hide illegal activity. Those in poverty cant. It boils down to:
People in poverty commit more crimes and get caught at it more than people not in poverty.
@Albert: “If you follow the news there seem to be a fair number of bad ones.” This is true, if you follow the news. But what you don’t see on the news (as often) are the many more officers there are out there doing good things. The number of good officers that we don’t hear about dwarfs the number of “bad officers”, some of which aren’t even bad at all but (wait for it) are just doing their job. I know that line is used a lot and in some cases is stretched over the truth to hide it. In some cases though it’s the truth: police officers, in the face of circumstances, sometimes have to resort to an unfortunate means to resolve a situation: violence.
People need to realize something: what you see in the media, on the news, in the papers, is not unbiased and is hardly ever fair or accurate. This is for two reasons: the first is that the people reporting the news have opinions of their own that almost always seep into their reporting. See a story about how a cop shot someone and was in the wrong, but the facts don’t prove it? I suspect if you looked deeper the writer of that story might have an anti-cop streak. The other reason is that no matter how upstanding a news group is, the reason they are doing what they do boils down to one simple thing: money. The recent focus on “bad cops” is a marketing tactic. Stories like this play on the emotions of viewers, and more people watch or read these stories, and so the news group makes more money. Would they make nearly as much money focusing on stories like “local police buy kids new bikes”? No way. People don’t want to read news about good things, plain and simple. People like to gripe about things. They usually don’t care what. The news focuses on “bad” things instead of “good” things because more people will watch or read news that gives them something to gripe about.
That was longer-winded than I had intended.
Sometimes it is Police officers who get shot at in coffee shops, not the other way around. This recently happened at the Forza coffee shop in Tacoma, Washington, where I go to school. Four officers were killed while wearing their uniforms in a coffee shop. I am sad for the owners of the Red and Black; they are clearly ignorant and have not bothered to look at the other side of this issue. Police officers put their lives on the line every day. It makes me sick when they receive so little thanks for all they do for everyone in the community.
This whole thing is amazing to me, but then on the other hand it isn’t. As this is an all to common reaction in my husband’s line of work as well.
He is a truck driver, and will get strange looks from people when he exits or enters his semi. I personally have seen it as I go out often with him in the truck. People see a job and not the people behind the job. Which is so sad.
I have a lot of respect and honor towards Police Officers, as they place themselves in harms way often. And get negative reactions more then I would care to recall. My hats off to them keep up the good work.
And for everyone else, don’t assume a stereo type when you see someone working a certain job. As police officers are not all out to gun you down and ask questions later. Nor are truck drivers like Smokey and the Bandit. There isn’t anything good done out of judging like this cafe did. And I can tell you that I tweeted this article. And the Cafe will not be getting our hard earned money anytime soon.
If I had a cafe I wouldn’t let anyone with a gun come through the door whether they had a license or a badge to carry it. I can understand the Portland community being distrustful of the police at this time after reading the news about so many shootings and that terrible case of the 14 year old girl being tasered in the Midwest. This officer sounds like one of the good ones but if you follow the news there seem to be a fair number of bad ones. Obviously if people feel so strongly about this issue there are real reasons behind each side’s feelings.
Cornelia,
Thanks for providing your insights and account of the event. Although I have a few personal disagreements in terms of police officers and their track record, I don’t think this is at all the appropriate place to discuss it. To me, your strongest point was in regards to the respect that is due to all human beings. A police officer is looked down on by some in the same way that others look down on a homeless person or sex worker. In the same way, if such a person is causing no trouble and simply trying to buy a cup of coffee and chat with someone, I see no reason why they should be thrown out of the establishment. At the end of the day, it’s the cafe owner’s decision– that comes with the hassle of running a business, and I think it’s fair to give him that benefit– but I cannot say that I personally agree with the choice. Thanks again for sharing and sparking the dialogue, whether that was intentional or not.
Thanks for publicizing this incident.
I am so sick to my stomach hearing this on tv. wow, I would never go to that cafe and hopefully no one will walk in and rob them during lunch because who are they going to call, that is like back in the days of segretation, what else will they not allow in there cafe. I so tired of living in Portland where they say keep Portland, wierd, to me that is insanity, and treating someone who trying to protect are streets this is a terrible crime.
Dear C. Seigneur,
Does the Jesus you worship teach Grace, love, mercy, forgiveness?
I appreciate and am grateful for those who lay their lives for me. I would lay my life for you but I will not kill for you.
Yes, this man is a cop. The “bad guy” is coffee shop owner. I find it hard to find where you write about this experience in love.
@Marc – The Red & Black Cafe has *nothing* to do with the ‘Keep Portland Weird’ rubric. Absolutely nothing. One is an anarchist cafe, and the other is an Austin Texas marketing term coopted by a Portland Oregon record store. They have absolutely nothing to do with each other.
@Marc – The Red & Black Cafe has *nothing* to do with the ‘Keep Portland Weird’ rubric. Absolutely nothing. One is an anarchist cafe, and the other is a Austin Texas marketing term coopted by a Portland Oregon record store. They have absolutely nothing to do with each other.
This, like most of what’s on your website, isn’t news. You’re just inciting people to a culture war, and of course they’re going to be what you call passionate about it. An institution that doesn’t support the Police is probably not going to want an armed and, from what our interpretation of the police SHOULD be from the news, potentially violent human being hanging around. After all, if we’re going to be scared of gang members and N.R.A. fanatics, Portland Police are at the very least incompetent. If you’re police force beats a schizophrenic homeless man to death and then stand over his dying body drinking Starbucks coffee, there’s a problem. And if you’re a police officer and you don’t condone that kind of malevolence, than you should probably pick another institution if you’re genuinely looking to serve the public.
“He is there to do his job.”
Which is precisely what makes people uncomfortable. When your job has historically (and presently and by all indications continuing) been to protect the wealthier classes by defending an arbitrary property declaration, while simultaneously creating a line of violent threat (the police) to castigate the poorer classes (common how many of the police murders in this city have been of the wealthy? Or even middle class? Zero) you are likely to make people uncomfortable in the job you do.
How many times does the “just doing my job” or “just following orders” line have to be demonstrated to be the refuge of predators before people get it through their heads that just because some of you feel warm and cozy when agents of institutional violence are around doesn’t mean that the feeling is universal. There is another side of the coin, it’s called poverty, see how long your respect for the police remains when you drop a few tax brackets and find your self struggling to live. Who will be coming to kick you out of your home and into the street? Certainly isn’t the Red and Black cafe owners.
Thank you for sharing your story. The cafe represents the “keep portland weird” liberal attitude that makes this city a mockery around the country. It’s not the same city I grew up in. God forbid they never need the police. I applaud the cop for walking out with no incident. I don’t think I could have done that. I’m so fed up with these police bashers. I’ll stop now before I say something about this “dive of a cafe”, that I might later regret.
We lived in NW Portland for 5 years. We had to call the police to deal with drunks urinating and defecating on our porch, druggies dealing on the corner, hookers doing their tricks in the yard and being robbed. The police were professional, empathetic and when it came to catching the woman who robbed us and getting most of our things back, heroes. We finally left Portland all together because it has become an unsafe place to live. People really have no idea what it’s like to be a police officer. We lived off 21st and Glisan not downtown. This is supposed to be a nice neighborhood but the homelessness and drug problems are out of control. Who has to deal with this mess daily, the police do. Without them this city and the country would be hell to live in.
I am grateful that you were there to witness that event. People generally are not aware of constant negative incidents police officers endure. It can be discouraging to attempt to help an unappreciative public, but continue to face each day with enthusiasm. Policing is a difficult job. Police officers need encouragement and sometimes it does not come with every small heroic event. I saw an officer wrestle a teenage girl down. She had attacked a younger boy with a stick. The boy was screaming help and the officer happened to be close by. The officer told the girl to stop and when she did not, he grabbed her and put her down on the ground. She was hitting him and spitting at him, but he managed to handcuff her with out hurting her. They questioned her and the boy and took her away. Someone had the audacity to tell the officer he should let her go because she was a victim too! Huh? The boy had cuts and bruises and so did the officer! But he was just doing his job, you know… just another day…
Kudo’s to the cop for showing that not all cops are a-holes. He left without incident.
I would like to thank you for speaking up for the police. So often people bash the police without knowing the entire story. I would be the first to admit that not all of our officers are perfect I think they would say that too. I don’t know what profession can boast that everyone in it does a perfect job 100% of the time. But I do know that we have good officers and that the public sees and hears such a small percentage of the stories. I would like to share a story with you. I speak of this first hand because I was one of the 911 dispatchers involved. Several years ago on Christmas Eve (when most people are home with their families)an officer came upon two children watching an abandoned bicycle in front of a Fred Meyers. When the officer asked them what they were doing the little boy asked him how long the bike would have to be left there before they might be able to claim it. The officer told him that he was sorry but that wasn’t the way it worked. The boy sadly said he really wanted his little sister to be able to have a bicycle for Christmas. The officer heart broken by this shared it with some of us at dispatch. Between several officers and dispatchers we were able to come up with enough of our own money to buy both of the children bicycles and helmets unfortunately most of the stores were either closing or already closed. We called around and begged a store to stay open until our officer could get there to get the bicycles and helmets and they agreed!! I would like to think that night made a difference in the hearts of those children. Hating will never fix anything compassion and love is the key. Thank you again I wish that more people out there were like you. God bless.
I agree; thank you for your insights.
Hopefully this will make people think about whether they truly believe in openness and inclusion–and discrimination at the same time.
I find it interesting that the Cafe’ owner had no qualms about taking the officer’s money, in exchange for a cup of coffee. I find it interesting that the Cafe’ owner would rather choose retaliation and retribution to settle a robbery or burglary case (by calling his friends), instead of utilizing the practices set forth in our Constitution that enable “all men are created equal” (in the eyes of the law). I believe the perception of safety is born by those who frequent the Cafe, and the owner who compounded the misperception by blaming the officer and asking him to leave.
Having been in law enforcement for over 20 years, I can’t tell you the number of times that I have endured personal attacks because of the badge I wear. Nearly always, I let it roll off of me. There are times when it hits me, but I do my best to deflect the negativity. I also recognize that there are those in society who will continue to wield the torch of discrimination because to extinguish it would leave the person without purpose. Hate, venom, anger and retaliation are strong poisons to the soul of the man or woman who wields them.
When I took my oath on 10-2-89, I swore to protect and uphold the constitution, to stand up for those who are unable to, and to be that first line of defense between the wolves and the sheep who would be their food without me. I still carry my sword of justice – and trust me, I have deep respect for the edge of the sword that faces me; I know if I screw up, I will be cut twice as deep as a citizen doing the same thing.
Best wishes – and thank you for posting your story.
thank you for writing, and sharing your experience. By reading your blog today, i have learned something about the city that i work in… it has given me a thought to ponder for the day: what if i, a payroll accountant, was asked to leave an establishment just because of my profession?