a vegan cafe in southeast Portland, two days before she was to return to school in Germany. Having a vegetarian daughter makes for great eating adventures. I had heard about the southeast Portland establishment as it was the opening scene in the book Imaginary Jesus, written by Matt Mikalatos, whom I am writing a story about for the Oregonian newspaper ( http://www.oregonlive.com/O/index.ssf/2010/06/vancouver-based_christian_auth.html) Then, I looked outside the window and saw a police officer and hoped I wasn’t illegally parked. I had recently seen cars being towed from the local outdoor food carts on 12th and Hawthorne. But, the police officer was not looking to give out tickets, but instead was looking for a cup of coffee while working the streets, so he thought he would try the Red and bback.
When he walks in, I say to him that I am glad he did not give me a parking ticket, and he chuckled.
With all the recent disturbing stories regarding the police in Portland, I thought I would try to show my support of the police by just being friendly.
After he got his coffee and was on his way out, my daughter and I, who were sitting near the door, addressed the police officer again, just to continue our dialogue. I opened the conversation by asking if he comes here a lot, and he said that he had never been there before.
Then I told him that I appreciate the work they do as Portland Police Officers, and I noted that it must be hard with the recent shootings and negative reaction of the public. He was humble, and said that indeed Portland is an interesting place to work; he said it is very hard and trying at times as he deals with murderers and gang members and drug addicts on a regular basis. People hear about the unfortunate police shootings, but rarely do they hear about the day in and day out reality of Police putting their lives on the line and saving people.
As I was just starting to tell him how I agreed with him, and had a specific example — our friend who lived in North Portland, a 14 year old Sudan-refugee boy, who was shot at by gang members in North Portland and then called Portland Police who saved him — one of the owners of the cafe came over to us; I figured he was just going to say hello, but instead, what came out of his mouth shocked me.
He looked directly at the police officer, and said to him, “I don’t feel comfortable with you here, I would like you to leave.”
I am baffled. Here is this human being, who happens to be a police officer, who paid good money for a cup of coffee, talking to my daughter and me, who also paid good money for their (frankly, not very tasteful food), and we witness what is discrimination based upon what someone is wearing and the job he has. And the humiliation of an individual person. This in a place that states on its website that it is: “safe and welcome” for all.
As the policeman quietly left, I asked the co-owner what the problem is and he says that he does not feel safe around the Police and that they shoot people. I tell him I am confused by his response to a police officer who is merely trying to get a cup of coffee, and that I know that there have been some unfortunate situations recently involving the Police, but that overall they are here protecting our community day in and day out, and you have to look at all sides of culture. I wondered if he has visited countries where there is no legitimate police force and where there is indeed lawlessness running the town or country. He had no reaction to my question.
And then, I asked him whom he would call if someone came in to rob his establishment, and he said he would call his friends in a community — and that is when I knew we were getting nowhere. I told my daughter we needed to leave and she agreed. She also could not believe what was happening.
Later, I tracked down the police officer to give him my business card, and to tell him how I was sad to see what happened to him, and I asked him to call me. I wondered if he has been treated like this before by other establishments in Portland or elsewhere. I told him that I wanted to write about this and that it disturbed me that this could happen. I live in the suburbs where police are very much respected in the community. The police officer told me that they are used to this general attitude from some people in Portland; and he also said he will always be kind to people no matter what.
I thought, wow, here this police officer is trying to protect the very people that hate him. The police officer said to me that part of the problem is education, that the public just does not know what they do all day long, that they put their lives on the line every single day, but what gets on the news is when a police shooting occurs due to someone who fled the scene or did not listen to orders.
Later, when I spoke with the policeman in greater detail, he said: “I don’t think the public is aware that that is how it is and all you can do is put the best foot forward and be professional and kind. This person (at the cafe) has his personal opinion. Look at his surroundings. He surrounds himself only with people who think the same way. That person will never be treated poorly by me. It is a cultural thing. We are failing ourselves. The public does not know what we deal with every day. Just two days in a row I have dealt with murderers. You also have to understand that the police are unable to combat the info about the public perception of police because what we are allowed to share is confidential information.”
The police officer also said that only so much information gets to the public and that the public needs to be educated that they are on their side. “Every day, police go out there and risk their lives. There is someone out there doing something wrong and we need to be there for the community. Let us get the bad guys here, but it is not as simple; there are many more factors in what we weigh in whether we want to act here.”
Then, the clincher — he offered to take me in his car for a day or an hour or for whatever time I had, to show me what he does all day long as a Portland Police Officer, if I wanted to write about that experience. I would like to take him up on his offer, but to be honest, I am afraid of what these police officers have to face during regular business hours on the streets of Portland.
And, the public rewards him with asking him to leave a coffee shop.
So, where’s a Portland Police Officer to get a cup of coffee?
Not at a certain “anarchist” (which happens to be vegan) cafe in southeast Portland.
My daughter and I were so distraught by this negative experience, about the way the café treated the Police –when they should be treated with gratitude and respect and honor — that we went the next day looking for a café with class and dignity for all people, no matter what they are wearing. 
We found the Palios Dessert & Espresso Bar in Ladd’s Addition, http://www.palio-in-ladds.com/ and we mentioned the situation we encountered at the Red and Black, and the man behind the counter at Palios said they treat all people equally there.
Okay, we found a place for the police to get a cup of coffee. And us.
http://www.corneliaseigneur.com/blue-ribbon-campaign-police-deserve-a-cup-of-coffee-facebook-page/
I was born and raised in Michigan. I am 46. I grew up with the traditional white male boys indoctrination that the police are aiways good guys. They were heroes. Like the lone ranger, superman, baseball, etc. It was something beyond question. If there was an accusation of police brutality, your very first thought was, well what did he do to deserve it. That all changed.
I met my father for the very first time when I was 9. He was a Vietnam vet, Combat grunt, and returned to the states a very damaged young man. Well, one day he reached out to my mom and secretly came to visit me one summer day. It was amazing. I immediately worshipped him. Tall, fit and strong and funny. We made plans for the following weekend. He would pick me up from my mom’s and I would spend my first day ever with my pops.
The day finally arrived and we were driving down I-94 just at dusk when suddenly the state police were signaling us to pull over. They wrote my father a citation for a broken head light and away we went. Not 15 minutes later, the entire high way was blocked with red and blue lights everywhere. We were surrounded by cars with orders being screamed through a PA…. Pull over immediately. I could sense this was serious. Several officers surrounded us with guns drawn. They instructed my father to put his hands out the car window, which he did. They approached and began pulling him violently through the window… Screaming coming from everywhere. I could hear my father pleading, please my son is in the car, I am complying. I could hear his crying out in pain along with the distinctive sound of dull blows to the flesh, thud thud crying out. 2 officers opened my door and grabbed me, carrying me to a patrol car. I looked up to see my father under a pile of men with kicks and punches being delivered for what seemed an eternity. I cried. To see my father in such anguish. At the end of the day, he had a 13 year old felony warrant out of Florida for a fight he was involved in at work, just 2 months back from the jungles of nam.
I went to live with my father in Ferndale MI, a suburb of Detroit. One of our good friends was David Dew. He was deaf, and I was quite experienced with deafness having an aunt that was deaf. So we were pals. One evening after silly harmless kid goofing, the police began chasing us. I went through an alley, leaving the group. I could hear the officer yell freeze followed by a barage of pops, I assumed to be a gun. It was, and 12 year old David Dew was shot to death in the back by cops.
I went to live with my grandparents for 11th and 12th grades in a wealthy suburbs, out in the country. A good friends father was an Oakland County sherrif. Drug task force. He would yell to us Hey, couple pounds of weed on table, hasnt been checked in to evidence yet, pinch if you want. One day his son and another friend went out to steal a guy’s marijuana patch. A huge grow op outside. As they approached, a man was there keeping an eye on it. They chatted with him, stupidly saying where they attended high school, then for no reason assaulted him visiously, breaking his jaw, ribs, severe contusions…. Just for good measure stole some personal property and destroyed his car that was out there. The kid, while recovering at the hospital, starts looking through our high schools year book, as it was one town over. Sure enough he fingered em both. This started a non stop harassment campaign by the Oakland County Sherrif Dept and this poor kid and his family. My friends dad would brag that his family can’t go anywhere without being pulled over. Finally the kid was bullied into dropping everything.
Same guy, couple years later, I am a student at the University of Michigan. I stopped by as we were all supposed to meet up for a concert at pine knob music theatre. We talked about the presidential election. It was 92′ Clinton Bush Perot. He made the comment we just needed somebody honest. I just had to ask… Well sir, was that honest to harass the victim on your sons behalf? Cuz it always just bothered me. Omg. He flipped out. Pulled out his gun, pointed it directly at my head telling me to get the fuck off his property. As I drove away, completely freaked out, I got a lot 2 miles down the road when I was pulled over and harassed for 30 minutes.
I was a senior at Michigan when I started a punk rock n roll band. One evening practicing some 50 miles away, we stopped at a pub after, where I consumed 1 Guinness stout. A beer with low alcohol content to begin with, knowing I had a drive ahead, I made the responsible choice. Going 70 I nearly missed the exit ramp, and went for it at last minute, bad idea, my car struck some debris and spun out on the side. I got out started walking. Town was Lapeer MI, a small shit town, red neck to the core. A cop car pulls up next to me six they got a call about an accident. I said yes I struck something on exit ramp. I got in and we drove back to car. I was given full field sobriety tests. Passed them all with flying colors. I really wasn’t buzzed. Then the breathalyzer…. A 0.08 on the border for impaired, a new law lowered. I explaine to them I had one beer, and that the device could certainly be off by a few thousands, with dramatic ramifications for my life. I demanded a blood test. At this point they became abusive. Calling me rich boy after finding my UofMich ID. They hog tied me, leg chains to wrists, a ball. They proceeded to drag me around, with some kicks and punches, always verbal abuse. In the back of the car, I very honestly and soberly explained my disappointment, and how my whole life I was believer in cops. And that they were only hurting themselves… Cuz I would share this story and as more and more Americans start identifying with these episodes of abuse, the respect for the badge would wither.
They pull over. Drag me out for another session of kicks and taunting. Blood began streaming down my face. Arriving at the hospital, the nurses immediately began tending to my wounds. ALL inflicted by the cops. I tell the nurse this right in front of the cops. They take my blood. I am certain I am in for a beat down on my way to jail. I am correct. I awake, sore as fuck and released.
A couple summers ago I am walking home around midnight on the crowded streets of ann Arbor MI, when 2 cops approach me. I am 100% sober, out walking and listening to head phones. They ask me where I am going. I say really none of their business. Wouldn’t they find it odd if I approached them one day wanting to know where they are going? I turn and continue walking when I am slammed to the ground. I awoke in an ER bed. Broken collar bone, severe head trauma, covered in scrapes and cuts. While speaking to the nurse, these 2 coos show up. To finish the arrest, and take me to county jail. The doctor arrives and let’s them know under no circumstances am I to leave. They are very concerned about the concussions severity. I couldn’t believe it.
I am released. I call an attorney and of course they file a resisting arrest charge. I was having severe panic attacks after this. I was diagnosed with PTSD from trauma from police over the decades.
My point? My story is not unique. And for Christ’s sake, I am “privileged” white man. Can you imagine the horror, terror, fear black men endure after endless beatings. And it’s not the beat down that lasts. It’s the powerlessness, the fact nobody will listen, that you feel the one group charged to protect and serve, is doing everything but. I begin to feel this rush of anxiety at the mere sight of cops. My body now just goes into fight or flight mode. I am physically and subconsciously reacting to painful memories. My body is trying to protect me…. It’s saying careful… Here comes suffering.
So are the young ladies words unkind? Yes. Could she find other coping mechanisms? Of course. But you have no idea what she has endured. I can’t believe my own 180 degree change. I now assume cops are lying. I assume they did engage in abusive practices. That they did violate civil rights. I have come to hate police. And I have inadvertently taught my child to mistrust the police.
The police have brought this upon themselves. By their behavior. By not having the integrity to out bad officers. My words 20 years ago to those Lapeer bozos, proved so true as I am regularly told stories of abuse endured, the almost weekly YouTube shooting of unarmed young black men. Of course the shooting always justified.
Only thing that shocks me at this point is that more young black men haven’t organized, and begun to randomly shoot cops across the country. Like multiple times daily. I really am.
As a small business owner myself, I refuse to serve cops. And that is my right. After being the victim of police brutality, I know first hand how they abuse their authority and resort to violence and intimidation immediately. The four cops that victimized me on my own front yard, while I was simply getting paperwork out of my car for work, proceeded to tell me that they were going to kill my two dogs, MY BABIES, who were in the window, if I did not give them information they were after. I was then forced to sign paperwork as the four cops stood surrounding me with their guns drawn. I am terrified to be in my own house still; one year later, because of the retaliation I have received since filing a complaint with internal affairs after this event. Not only was I told these officers had an array of complaints on their jackets, but that I WOULD BE ARRESTED FOR FILING A FALSE POLICE REPORT IF I COULD NOT PROVE MY CLAIM and essentially forced to drop it. Police are the biggest crime syndicate in the United States, and anyone who thinks different has their heads in the sand. My brother-in-law is a cop, and I have to listen to him laugh and boost about the array of ways he finds to trample on citizen’s civil liberties every family gathering…it’s sad and it’s disturbing. I am embarrassed to have a cop in my family…just glad I don’t have to share blood with him, for that I am truly sad for my husband.
I do not see any blog posts by you defending innocent people that are abused by police. Nor do I see any posts about other people that are needy. You feel so sorry for a middle class white male cop who cant go to ONE coffee shop, yet you have no sympathy for other people that are actually hurt and abused in general. You are a petty and pathetic person.
You have a right to refuse service to anyone as a business owner, And you don’t have to give anyone an explanation.
Personally I feel the least safe with a cop around. The fact is that cops are not humans, they are corporations (dead bodies) giving life to a uniform, and they will follow orders without question even when it is a complete violation of anyone’s basic human righs and our rights as defined by the UN charter and the US constitution. Are the cops who open fire on a minivan full of children or a vehicle with a robbery hostage considering that these are humans hey are trying to kill. NO! Are there any good cops? NO because of their thin blue line code of supporting each other despite any wrongdoing. The police captain of Santa Fe defended the cop who entered the home put his gun to an unarmed non-violent 20 year old’s head and executed him point blank. Anyone who calls 911 for help is more likely top get killed or arrested and abused by cops than anything else. They are vicious gestapo petty tyrants and you the public are the enemy. Make no mistake, cops work for the 1% and you are the sheep they want to fleece. That pathetic little crybaby cop should think about the thousands of black US citizens people hassled daily just for the color of their skin.
The restaurant owner has the right to refuse service to anyone, just as you have the right to not patronize that business.
Police shoot unarmed citizens on a daily basis. Police in Fullerton CA are on trial for murdering kelly thomas an unarmed man. Police beat, taser and pepper spary innocent citizens on a daily basis. Police arrest and detain people that are innocent on a daily basis. Every business has a right to refuse business to anyone. Police like all government employees must provide service to all citizen taxpayers who pay their salary. he can go to starbucks.
Absolutely. I wouldn’t want a cop in my store. Man I just watched a case out new jersey. Cops undercover harassing a young black man who owns a weed head shop. Not breaking any laws. Well low and behold a giant crack rock is discovered sitting on the counter. At jail the business owner asks his lawyer to go get the surveillance tapes. Apparently this young man had like the mack dad HD cameras hidden everywhere. A quick review shows cop placing the drugs on the counter. It was enough for mandatory 5 years in prison. So this cop was willing to ruin a life, family, a community? And are we to believe this was his first time planting evidence? Right. How many lives has this one crooked cop dramatically altered for the worse? Every one of his convictions where he was witness and drugs were found, must be overturned. Also, he must, at minimum, do the time he was only too happy to see another suffer
I know I am late to this post but I was wondering if the article writer was aware of two court cases that have made it explicitly clear that the police have no obligation to protect you and that the news has no obligation to tell the truth.
I have no plans on calling you a middle class whitebread type or anything like that but if you would be prepared for some simple exposure to valid alternate points of view drop me a line. Also, Anarchy is not an absence of order it is the absence of orders.
These are the same people that defend their right not to serve law enforcement in their establishment, are the same that would protest the right of the florist for in her good conscious could not provide flowers for the gay wedding. Hippocrates of the worse kind.
I say kudos to the cafe manager. It is nice to see people stand up and let them know that we disapprove of the police behavior over the last 10 or 20 years. The real hero here is the manger. It is very easy for you Cornelia, whitbread, middle class and probably have never experienced police harassment in your whole life. Did you know there is no requirement anywhere to for law enforcement agencies to report how many people are injured or killed by their agency? So we have no statistics on this at all. You have your head in the sand – a typical american middle class white women who cannot see the persecution of her fellow citizens even though it is right in front of her eyes every day.
The police officer is not just a person in a uniform. There job is to serve the interests of those with money and power. They are often times racist (like this police officer who compared himself getting kicked out of a private establishment to segregation!) When they have no cultural training or understanding of why people commit crime they murder people. They may protect you and your family but they definitely don’t protect the working class patrons and owners of Red & Black. And you can’t really expect a cop to be welcome at Red (Communist) & Black (Anarchist) cafe. The job of the police is to protect private property and stop protesting against the government of anytime (except when they’re neo-nazis). This is true. Cops brutally assaulted peaceful protesters during the Occupy movement but they form circles around and protect an neo-nazi rally (you can easily find this on youtube). In order for it to be a safe place for all (vegans, anarchist kids or LBGT people) cops cannot be present.
With all due respect, I happen to side with the owner. I have never met a police officer that has not abuse their authority. I have been wrongly incarcerated three times, and cannot do anything about it. As a matter of fact, my city tried to impose a “no taping police officers law”, and it passed, which was thankfully found unconstitutional. So, “We, The People,” have every right to be weary of those sworn to protect us in our current day and age. I understand your view but I think what the confusion is….when you look at a single person, we see what we want to see – someone just like our self, but when we look at the whole, it is broken and rotten to the core. I would be more than happy to continue the topic with anyone as long as that person can keep their wits about them because the subject is touchy.
Well, lets take a look at whats really going on here. One of the primary responsibilities of the police is to provide a service called protection and security. Protection is something concrete and visible like when you can see a cop pulling over a suspected drunk driver. Yes, then there is that after feeling when you pass by and see the lights on and feel good inside that the streets are now a little more safer because the police has just arrested a drunk driver and thats called security or when your at a convenience store in the middle of the night in South Central Los Angeles because your out of pep to bismol and your not feeling safe until you see a Los Angeles Police officer parked right in front of the store. One of the consequential effects of police misconduct is a corrosive nature on the legitimacy of power. Legitimacy of police power comes from that feeling about how safe you really feel when police are around. Police obviously find the source or their power according to the constitution from the people. Some police don’t understand this really. Yet another quality that every human being finds difficult to maintain when entrusted with so much of this power is called integrity and humility. When the people begin to feel unsafe when police are around then problems begin at high levels, very high. Now I respect everyones opinions here and their positions but Im sad to report to you that not all police are angels and of high or even of good quality of character and integrity. The true stats reveal that good police are a minority and even those would not report a crime committed by their co-workers. brutality is the highest offense but what is the most scariest and quite troublesome is that even though sexual offenses by police on young girls is only 2 basis points behind brutality its the young women who defend these monsters the most. Thats all I got to say. Good for that manager he has that right to feel the way he does. He has every right to feel like the police collectively are not demonstrating to him that they will not target him unjustly.
(I know this is a little late to the party, but here we go:)
The police force is an inherently corrupt institution: a quick Google search will yield numerous results about dubious police shootings and general brutality towards women, the queer community, people like the cafe owner, and especially people of color. The sheer NUMBER of these stories where police have tasered young Black women or shot young Black men and such for completely irrational reasons indicates that this is not just an issue with one or two rogue cops, but is an INSTITUTIONAL problem.
And that’s not to say that EVERY cop is like that, because there can be good people in inherently flawed institutions: but if the institution, as a whole, is corrupt, then odds are likely that this individual cop presented a threat to this cafe owner and his clientele, as it likely included the sorts of people who tend to face police brutality more than conservative, well-to-do, white people, like you and your neighbors. Whether the owner’s assessment was correct or not is beside the point: he is simply using the same logic as the police, who understand specific types of people to be dangerous, based on dress and general physical appearance. Except in this case, the police uniform is a tangible indicator of a threat– it unmistakeably marks an individual as police–, much more so than baggy trousers or anything that might mark a young Latin@ or Black fella as a gang member, when that is simply an element of fashion and is not connected, specifically, with gangsters.
Although I really don’t expect you to absorb much of this: if you were offended enough to write this to begin with, I don’t imagine my explanation will change your mind. (I’ve tried explaining this to my own mother, who is rather on the liberal side, and even she looked askance at me.)
But here’s the thing: if a cafe owner had come up to a young Black fella who had just bought some coffee and was engaging in conversation with some bystanders and asked him to leave because he didn’t feel safe, would you be equally offended? even if this young Black man were wearing the baggy trousers and the long shirt and the sneakers and all the rest? Do you care about the public embarrassment of human beings only when they’re respectable white people, or do you care about the public embarrassment of all people, regardless of skin color and fashion choice? I ask, because the latter scenario is much more commonplace than your police officer-cafe owner debacle, and if you can get so fired up over the less common of the two, then where are you when that and worse happens to less respected classes of people every day?
I think people who are upset about how the police are perceived should be mad at those in the uniform who do horrible things, not the people who have developed a distaste for them. If you’ve never had an arbitrarily negative experience with the police, that’s good for you, but I’ve seen someone tazed in the back for calling an officer’s supervisor over her homophobic language and disrespectful behavior. Held the trigger till he passed out. Her colleagues congratulated her, and they dragged him into the squad car. He’s afraid to press charges, because it’s a known fact that cops are seldom found guilty in court, and they’ve already told him it would make his life “difficult.” He has had difficulty breathing after the prolonged electrocution in his chest. It’s all well and good if you’d like to romanticize those in uniform, but do not begrudge the rest of us if we do not share your view. If you honestly believe in what you’re saying, then focus on the real problem: The minority of a group of otherwise great people who have taught a great many people that the police are to be feared and avoided. This shaming of a business, and the individual running it who has had a wealth of experiences in his lifetime that you simply are not privy to, is at best mislead and at worst pathetic.
Well, he didn’t ask you to leave, and that is his right to refuse service to anyone. Raise awareness of the police brutality, and abuse of power. Take a look at the culture wars in our society. police officers don’t give parking tickets, the parking enforcement officers do that.
In many countries police officers are corrupt and abuse their power. When we lived in the Philippines we were told not to make eye contact with police officers who tried to stop us in traffic because they would take our drivers’ licenses and then require a bribe before giving them back. A police officer shot and killed the brother of a close friend of ours because he complained about the noisy party at the policeman’s house. I have great respect for police officers, but I have seen abuses of power in our country too. This may help in understanding why people from various backgrounds do not welcome police officers. I like that your story is raising awareness about the real good our officers are doing.
Me and my buddy got booted out last night from this place. They suspected that we are Federal agents. I really dont think this is a place for normal people. They were sounded like they hate law enforcement
Cops are nothing more than mercenaries protecting and serving themselves. That is why they are no longer welcome among the communities they victimize. Writing tickets just to rob people of their money just because people cannot defend themselves in their crooked courts.
I guess it’s just normal. When you treat people bad to some point they tend to get terrified, they can’t stand to take risks anymore. It’s basic normal reaction to the many abusive and dog-like treatments that have been sighted lately on videos covering how cops really treat the people with their powers.
It cannot be easy being a police officer and there are two sides to every story. Thanks for writing
To bad so many people get humiliated and worse by police everyday. Like the 77 year old grandmother that got tazered. Like the ambulance driver en route to hospital with patient inside and pulled over by state trooper so trooper could smash his neck up against the rescue squad with no regard what so ever for the patient being rushed to the hospital. In my hometown the police make it a point to intimidate the public. I do not blame the manager in fact I applaud him and I wish there were more like him.
I applaud the store keeper for this move and shame on you Cornelia. You live in a very isolated world if you think the police are any different from common criminals. If you are shocked by this incident maybe you should do a search on youtube for a glimpse of crimes the cops have been burned with thanks to cameras. Prior to the technology age and youtube it was nearly impossible to prosecute these criminals. Within the last 10 years police corruption has skyrocketed, do you really think the police changed in the last 10 years or did we just become better at catching them thanks to technology and camera phones in every pocket.
Please educate yourself on the complexities of police crime, they go far beyond roughing up drunks and drug dealers. Some of the police crimes and so vast and complex that the people prosecuting them are even helpless.
I beat you think policing is all about the streets and little criminals. Unfortunately it goes much deeper than that. Police are actively involved in devaluing entire towns and cities through common tactics such as installing drug dealers and strip joints in towns they don’t like and regulating them in their home towns. They bring down and entire town in a matter of a few years while increasing the value of other nearby towns that they live in or are being paid to inflate. I’m only touching on the tip of the iceberg here, many people don’t even understand things like this or why they happen, but it always involves multi million or billion of real estate which is always tied to a corrupt organization that is paying the police.
open your eyes missy, there isn’t one police town or force in the world that isn’t corrupt.
That’s right, you said it… you live in the Burbs. You are sheltered from police abuse and overstep. What strength of character it took for this establishment owner to speak his mind about his place of livelihood. Good for him.
Go Red & Black!!!
Ben, some interesting thoughts on audience and how many sides of the argument I take. I will say though that the Red and Black labels itself anarchist- I agree, that word can sound negative, but they call themselves that- in fact, it is one of the arguments some people use to defend the choice of the cafe owner to give the cop the boot.
Prof. Seigneur
I agree fully with what Seigneur said. I think that it is truly disheartening to think about how police officers are treated today. It seems that the man at the Red and Black Cafe has gone against two important principles, tolerance and respect, both of which I thought were central to progressive thinking. The police officer experienced prejudice because the color of his uniform, not the content of his character, and Seigneur portrayed the frustrating circumstance well.
The only thing that concerns me about the post is the sense of division that comes from it. I understand if Seigneur is attempting to write only to people that agree with her, but readers who disagree with Seigneur will tend to grow frustrated with the attitude portrayed. I think the emotion communicated can be good. But calling the cafe the anarchist cafe probably does not help induce change from anyone.
It was necessary. Police are now abusive, brutal, and belligerent. In short they are criminal.
Ah Halkort, you are undoubtedly one of the great social commentators and gifted philosophers of our age. Your wise observation and direction to us all is only surpassed by your prodigious vocabulary.
Can you spell Narcissist?
You went out of your way to show how intelligent you are: citing historical results that came from… (where? Ripleys?); and of course it’s important to insult the intelligence of a person who may have a difference of opinion. But of course you consider yourself above all that, don’t you?
Blah-de-blah-blah-blah. What a snooze-fest. Maybe you should think about chastising yourself for painting this person with the same broad brush you accuse her of using.
This appears to be a good example of the market determining what’s acceptable. I don’t know what’s been going on with the cops in Portland – more and more, I know that police are using unnecessary force (e.g. tasering a grandma whose in her bed, shooting a man in his car because he won’t get out, etc), and almost always being allowed to get away with it. Maybe because of some of the recent problems with police in Portland, the owner thought people might not want to eat there if they saw the officer. He might be scaring business away. That’s a legitimate concern.
But if patrons don’t like a business doing what it should be legally allowed to do (decide who it will do business with), they also have the right to take their business elsewhere. Someone who wants to stay in business will likely change their policy quickly.
And that’s exactly how it should be. The govt should not determine who a business must serve.
Now, automatically most of us think of the typical “blacks won’t get served” example. However – a couple things to keep in mind:
Let’s reverse the example. Should a black owner of a restaurant be forced to serve a member of the Klu Klux Klan? Or should he have the right to refuse service?
Who does the business belong to?
If a white business decided to not serve blacks, not only could patrons decide to take their business elsewhere, blacks would be able to avoid supporting a business that didn’t like them. Under forced law (which “appears” to be fair), you don’t know. Wouldn’t it be nice to know who you were supporting?
Finally – I found it interesting when I recently read some background on the reason for the racism most of us are familiar with (1950’s and 60’s). And I’m assuming this happened more in the south than in other places. While many businesses apparantly would have been happy to serve blacks (paying customers), local and state government would not allow them to. When southern blacks boycotted the buses, the bus lines started losing a lot of money, and were ready to change policy. But local govt wouldn’t allow it. And it wouldn’t allow blacks to start their own bus line.
It was govt that mandated racism.
So how was this fixed?
By government doing the same thing – in reverse. It went from forcing businesses to work with who it told them to – to – forcing businesses to work with who it told them to.
Nothing is perfect. It’s just worse with government intervention. Remove the law forcing businesses to serve everyone, and you’ll have some who are racist. But if the point of being in business is to make money, most will do “the right thing,” if only because of the market.
If I were an officer in Portland and the Red and Black Cafe was in my patrol area and I received a call that they were being held up I would go slow or call back that I my patrol car had a flat and I wouldn’t be able to make the call. Let them see how officers aren’t needed. I am totally ashamed of how disrespectful the Left coast is to the law and basically all types and levels of authority. It’s like another planet.
@ Proud PP Wife
Well Said Ma’am. As a semi-retired law enforcer, I realize there are many narrow minded people, and people who are cool with being victims their entire lives. The officer in this article is an example of someone who will never be victimized.
Regarding the “people of color” – I was brought up to treat all people fairly and equally. I thank my mom and dad every day for teaching me that, as I brought that attitude to Law Enforcement with me. Here’s the key to being a person of color (white black tan yellow purple blue green and chartruse) – Don’t be a moron. If you want respect, give repsect, and do unto others as they would do unto you.
I am someone who has been unjustly treated by the judicial system and has anarchist leanings, HOWEVER, I am also a veteran, and I understand the proper place of police in a community, as PEACE OFFICERS. Many good cops understand this as well and find communities to serve in where they can operate as such and not as gestapo/swat shock troops that beat/shoot first and ask questions later.
I have been arrested a number of times in my life, not for anything serious, usually for my political activities or due to my judicial rights activism, where the police chiefs associations and the judges collude to use their police agencies to pursue a neo-fascist agenda.
That said, I have almost always been treated courteously by police, even when I was being arrested (yo, resisting arrest is also illegal and stupid too, if you fight them, you deserve a thump on the head). The few times that did not happen, karma won out in the end and they lost.
If I owned that cafe, I would not kick out police officers like this gentleman you write about. I would see him being there as an opportunity to propagandize for justice. I have converted many a police officer to support marijuana legalization, eminent domain restrictions, 2nd amendment rights, and even gotten their signatures on third party ballot petitions. I would do the same with that cop, and educate him and show him how a peaceful community can be achieved by means other than officially sanctioned thuggery.
The Red and Black, however, are the colors of the violent anarcho-communist movement. The Wobblies were merely a very mild labor organizing offshoot of them. The Red and Black is IMHO a center of domestic terrorism by Earth Liberation Front, Animal Liberation Front, and other extremist radicals. Your cop friend was probably asked to leave because the place is a whistle stop on a modern underground railroad that helps support and move around extreme leftist radicals. I know quite a lot about this movement because I spent time in it in the 1999-2001 period. They are not the nonviolent peaceful tree huggers they like to pretend they are.
wow… i am a police officer and i am bothered by the reaction of the store owner. However i am more surprised by the comments left by the other readers. So…. here is my two cents…. the author did a good job with the article and put the nail on the head several times. the general public is uneducated about what police really do. i say to all that claim to be affraid of the police, that there is a way to conquer your fears or concerns and educate yourself at the same time. almost every police department in the US has a ride along program. you would learn alot and be amazed if you went and rode with a cop for a full shift, you could not imagine what you would see….. i also would like to point out that when police officers are in normal clothes and not in uniform this doesnt happen. because the public does not recognize them as cops… so its not the cop you are affraid of… its the uniform… so the next time you go to the mall, movies or out to dinner, stop and look around, and think to yourself…. whos the cop??? because your bound to be in the same area as one and not even know it. he may be working in plane clothes, shoping with his family, or just enjoying his day off. if your not scared of him then, why should you be when hes working???
Thank you for your service
Well, I hope that all you people never get to see the bad side of police activity. No I take that back I want you to see some power drunk cop pull you out of your car by your hair and put his knee in the back of your neck when you get pulled over for speeding and refuse his order to search your car. This was my particular case, I was traveling 32 in a 25 mph zone. It was a great time let me tell you. I want to preface that statement by saying i have only had 2 tickets in 15 yrs and have had no prior convictions ever.I know police officers and if you can ever get them to tell you their honest opinion the ones I have known have estimated at least 75% of officers are involved in some sort of corruption or illegal activity. So that being said maybe instead of chastizing a shop owner for execising his right as an american to deny service. You should look at each persons situation and have some consideration for his personal issues instead of blindly taking someones side that you don’t even know. That cop that was denied coffee could have been the greatest cop Portland has ever seen…Or he could have just bought his coffee with money he just hustled from illegal activity.
That’s right, Old time cop. Fear and intimidation is the answer.
As a Law Enforcement Officer I am hurt, offended and find it hard to believe that people in 2010 have such disdane for the very people that make the ultimate sacrifice to keep them safe. With all that has happend in the recent months, I think the last thing this owner should be worried about is a “cop” getting a cup of coffee at his COFFEE shop. This type of discrimination is appauling and disgusting. Why don’t you just put up a big sign that says “Cops Not Welcome” I’m sure they and the criminals of society will get the “hint”.
“we pay them to protect us, and for the most part they do.”
And that’s different from the Mafia how?
Dear Corneila,
Thanks so much for your very kind words about our organization, Oregon State Police-Independent Citizens Board’s work for over the past four years researching and investigating nationwide to get at the very heart of the reasons why police brutality has become increased. Our program, Truly Reforming Law Enforcement was attached to Oregon Senate Bill 111 Police Use Of Deadly Physical Force which is a five point outline to require new cadets and certified officers to receive new specific policies and training to stop officers that start to violate the civil rights of the public. The senate bill was mandated to be in full force on July 1, 2008.
Please Google: Truly Reforming Law Enforcement
Also, Rise In Police Brutality USA TODAY Dec. 18, 2008
We request the public contact their local police/county law enforcement bureau and the governor, state attorney general and request the program be started to envision Oregon The Safest State!
Best Regards,
Jerry Atlansky-Founder/Chairperson
jmatlansky@gmail.com 24.365
Thanks for the article, I live in the Seattle area and am a retired police officer. My wife and I visit Portland often (her family lives there) we will sprerad the word and warn others of this cafe and their hatred of Police Officers. I checked into their Facebook page and found through links that they like socialist groups and Michael Moore types, too much of that already destroying our freedoms we do not need more. Thanks again for the article.
i’m a former 911 /police dispatcher and I am so happy you wrote this. I live in WV and for the most part here our officers are respected and loved. I can’t imagine living somewhere where they aren’t. I hope everything turns out well in Portland. Love the officers, support them, let them know you support them. If I ever go to Portland I know where I WONT be having coffee and danish at .
Hi Cornelia! Glad you wrote this post. I went to high school with you and your brother, and now have my own “veganish” blog. I think the way this officer was treated was HORRIBLE and I hope the vegan community in Portland comes out to say that this is (hopefully) NOT how they want to come across. Nice finding your blog! Elaine
If the establishment is open to the public, the officer has a right to be there Otherwise somebody who has committed a crime could just tell the officer to leave. He could have told the owner to go pound sand and then asked to see his business license and health certificate. Failing to produce either one would have gotten him additional inspections and possibly the closing of his business. Some people are not very smart.
in st.louis a police officer can get a cup of coffee or a soda for free any time– we love and respect our officers.
OI !
It’s funny how people get into an uproar about denying a cop service to a coffee shop, but were they to deny a citizen who was open carrying a firearm it would be completely ok.
@A.J. OK, you win! I love the police now! But I especially big strong tough guys like you! I’m sorry for having been since an edgy Sally Sparky! Please don’t take make lunch money! Maybe you and NYPD can get together and take turns shoving billy clubs up my bum!
@Mack, “WHAAAAH!!! A COP WAS ONCE MEAN TO ME! WHAAAHH!!!” What were the circumstances of your “harassment” Sparky (i.e… What were YOU doing)? I’m a six foot, long haired, tattoo covered biker-lookin’ bastard. You don’t even KNOW profiling kiddo! Do you think the cops look at me and see that I’m an awesome Father or an ordained Minister?!? Hell no! They look at me and turn their cars around to see what I’m doing, where I’m going, where I’ve been and what I have on me! And yet I still have none of your “edgy” hatred toward the police. As far as I’m concerned they’re just guys in suits that we as tax payers have hired to perform a valuable service (the duties of which a little whiner like yourself would NEVER be able to handle!) and as such deserve our respect! Save your tough talk for the four other children you hang around Sally. Perhaps THEY’LL still be impressed by it!
I am a retired police officer and you are my hero. Throughout my 20 years as a police officer, very few times did someone come to me and tell me they appreciated what I did, but when it did happen, I can’t tell you how good that made me feel. For you to do that and THEN be able to stand up for us like you did, perfect. Thank you. Also, I don’t know that I would have been able to restrain myself the way the officer did so kudos to him for sure.
Whist I believe that Mr. Langley should have refused complete service to the officer instead f taking his money and asking him to leave, I do recognize his actions. Because he is an anarchist, as it is described, he believes most likely in a lawless, police-less and classless state. This is not as bad as it seems though. For lawless, it means that their is no need for law. All are allowed to be as they wish. No restrictions what so ever. This DOES NOT MEAN that everyone is a criminal. This ties in with no police. Everyone would have the duty to stop crime. SOrt of state-wide vigilante-ism. As to classless, that is self explanatory. I agree with him in the fact that he is allowed to deny service due to his job–which he is strictly against. Its not like he denied him because he was black, latino, asian, etc.
This is Crazy:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-CkV9JWQIJk
I have been to this cafe several time before, had a nice cup of coffee and a great sandwich. Recently, I had thought of going there again, but not now.
This attitude of the cafe co-owner is frustrating because it sheds a bad light on people who support vegetarism and animal rights issues. You care so much about animals but then you treat a human being with disrespect for no reason other than you ‘feel’ uncomfortable. How about this officer’s feelings? Your action was disrespectful and moronic in my opinion and I ‘feel’ ashamed for you John Langley.
I’m sure there is also a bit of jealousy involved. this langley guy strikes me as a bit of a coward. the type to hide under his bed during a 9/11 type incident. thats Ok johhny cakes. Somebody has to stay behind with the women and children while the men go off to fight the real enemy
Let it be known that the red and black cafe is a sanctuary for anarchists, conspiracy theorists, malcontents, losers and morons.
They represent the lowest of the low and would likely have a very short existence in a world without laws, order and police officers.
Please take note that the red and black cafe served the officer coffee and accepted money for the coffee before the officer was asked to leave.
If you read the rules of the red and black cafe, you’ll note that it reads like a fascist manifesto, which is pretty ironic for a communist establishment.
Boycott the red and black cafe. Maybe then, it will have to shut it’s doors and the owners and staff will have to go out into the real world and find employment in reality.
The owner sounds like an insecure racist. if they are going to make enemies of the police, they must be prepared to make friends with criminals
@David. I think it is far more small minded that you base your respect for the pigs solely on your personal experiences. I am glad you have never experienced any prejudice! That must mean it doesn’t exist!
Aaron
Sir you are an idiot I wonder how you would fee if you were attacked by a thug and the police you advocate boycotting would boycott you by not protecting you—–people like you should wear a sign stating you position on police and asking them not to help you when you are in need—— but all of the policemen I know would ignore the sign and help you anyway no matter what your opinion is of them.
Mrs. Seigneur, Thank you for sharing this story. As a 20 year Vet of the St. Paul Police Dept. I couldn’t imagine anyone in our community doing such a thing. Hats off to that Officer for handling himself so well. Thanks to you for being a great citizen, it is people like yourself that make this job worthwhile……
Well if anyone is looking to rob a coffee shop in Portland you know where to go. They obviously are going to let you get away with it by not calling the cops.
@mack. I realize you’re trying to play the part of the edgy rebel (nice shades), but you’re comment comes off as juvenile and small-minded. I have never encountered the kind of prejudice you’re exhibiting from a police officer.
I live in Portland and have only the greatest respect for the Officers that keep me and mine safe. They’ve always been really polite to me, and I see them fairly often when riding the MAX as I live out near SE 162nd where there has been gang activity the past couple of years.
My support is with the Officer on this one, as he did nothing wrong. If the business owner had an issue, should he have not said so in the first place before accepting the Officer as a customer?
More of us need to step up and say Thanks to those who keep us safe – Firemen and members of the Military as well. My favorite thing to do is watch for them to be getting coffee or dinner. The Starbucks on SE Stark & 102nd is a drive thru and several Officers go thru every day. I have more fun beating them to the window by going up to the side window while they’re still in line and I pay for their coffee. They never know who did it, so my understanding is that it cannot be seen as bribery, but a gift freely given. I’ve done the same thing at restaurants.. the Servers love to sneak over the check for me to pay without them knowing. It doesn’t cost much and honestly, I’d rather cut back elsewhere and keep these little moments going. Maybe some of you will join me .. it feels good and it lets them know there are those of us who appreciate them. Remember, normally they never usually interact with us on our best days – so their view of us can be a bit negative too!
one more reason to stay away from portland. way to go.
This is nothing but typical, left-wing liberal Portland anarchist crap. Anarchists are idiots and so are the owners of this dirt-bag cafe. Big mean police officers harassing little pansy cafe owners. What a joke.
The Police in my town(Oil City, Pa) are looked at in a negative way as well.
I have had my differences with them but have allways respected them, I wanted
to be a police officer my whole life and never made it.
I have taken courses for police work though and understand to a degree what
they put up with day to day.
After reading your artical and the facebook page buy a police officer a cup of coffee
I will be buying coffee for the Oil City, Pa Police dept.
Thank You for showing us how we Should treat the police, I wish there were more
like you.
Can’t they just set up some kind trough outside for the pigs, the way some cafes put water out for dog owners who are inside? I know this may violate civil rights, but I have never known a police officer to be civil or to respect my rights.
Wow! Unbelievable. I agree! As one who enjoys good vegan food this is one establishment I will not be visiting.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-CkV9JWQIJk
Sounds like the safest restaurant in town. I am glad to finally see people standing up to the jackboots that prowl the streets. We should boycott all cops.
Hmmm, thank you for sharing this experience with us…I would’nt want to be anywhere near that place to begin with…
It was a tacky thing to do on the owners part. All he accomplished was to hurt his own business because some customers will not come back because of the way he treated the officer. But a private business owner has the right to ask you to leave their property.
I have to wonder how safe this cafe owner feels if a bus driver stops in for coffee?
When my loved one was brutally murdered, it was the dedicated police that helped to solve it. Now the man is behind bars and I am forever grateful to our police for working hard to bring peace to my family and my community. We are human and all capable of mistakes. Shame on those of you who generalize a few people’s actions to an entire group of people. I hope you never experience what my family had to go through and if you ever do I know our police will treat you with more compassion than people like the co-owner of the red and black caffe gave to our police.
Well this is one cafe I won’t be visiting in the future. It’s appalling that a local establishment would treat someone – anyone this way – police officer or not. While I understand people are frustrated with the police, they need to balance the few incidents out with the overall actions of the Portland Police. Yes, we need to make sure the police are responding properly to dangerous situations – but how often does the owner of the café face life or death I’m sure not very often. I’ve lived in other cities that have had far more incidents with police-involved shootings – with officers who did not follow protocol – and where people were generally concerned about having interactions with the police department for fear of the outcome. Since moving to Portland, I’ve only ever had positive interactions with the police department.
Living in North Portland, I see the police out and about almost every day and truthfully never pay them much attention; however, that all changed recently and I came to appreciate them even more. It was a quiet Friday night, and I was up late when I heard a strange noise on the porch of my newly purchased home off Lombard. I quietly crept towards the front door when I heard the voice of two men, jingling the handle of my door and trying to get in. I was terrified and ran back to my room to call 911 – within 5 minutes there were 4 Portland police cars surrounding my house and searching all of the backyards. The officers responding were thorough, courteous, and I’m forever thankful for the swift actions. Next time I see one I may buy one coffee, but definitely not at this café.
When Ms. Seigneur asked Mr. Langley what he would do if he was robbed, he replyed he would call on his friends for help. To me this sounds like he is promoting vegilanty behaviour and taking the law into their own hands. Sounds to me like he advacates breaking the law hinself and now it is clear why he fears the police for himself and his friends. My family and myself will be giving the R & B cafe a wide berth.
http://connect.lawofficer.com/profiles/blogs/portlands-first-class-police?xg_source=activity
Portland, eh? Perhaps the cops there need to have another “How Dare You Question Our Authority” march.
If more people had a look at http://www.injusticeeverywhere.com/ they might understand why it’s generally safer to avoid the police if at all possible.
Police are often accused of racial profiling, i.e., singling people out because of the way they look. Does this coffee shop owner not see the sad irony of what he has done? I notice he also had no problem taking the officer’s money before he kicked him out. Refusing service is one thing. Taking a customer’s money and then treating them like this when they have done nothing wrong is gutless, greedy and low. Langely, you may see yourself as a crusading activist, but your a small, petty little man.
“Confronted with the choice, the American people would choose the policeman’s truncheon over the anarchist’s bomb.”
Shut up you douchy whine bags….a cop is no different from a sinner and ought to be treate the same way….
I would like to speak as a WIFE of a police officer. I have to live day-in and day-out with my husband and father of my children putting himself in harms way to protect the citizens of Oregon. He does his job with passion, integrity, and guts! I am so tired and sick to my stomach with his profession being bashed and put down by those who DO NOT even know what these brave men and women go through every day. I hear the stories at the end of the day and have even witnessed my husband cry with what he has had to face on the job.
Thank you Cornelia for your compassion and putting a voice to all those that support our police. I know we, the ones that support our police, are NOT really news worthy so rarely do we get heard. I applaude you for what you have done here. I also THANK all our hard working Police Officers and I hope you know that there are many of us out here that SUPPORT YOU!
This morning I discovered there is a “Boycott the Red & Black” Facebook page that has over 17,000 fans. ( http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Boycott-the-Red-and-Black-Cafe-Portland-OR/132068450142313?v=info) Unfortunately I think that many people will develop a negative perception of vegans because of this event. I’ve been a vegetarian for over 15 years and I strongly disagree with the co-owner’s decision to ask the officer to leave, and I know many other vegans/vegetarians who would agree with me. I think the co-owner owes the officer a sincere and heartfelt apology. I don’t agree with boycotting the cafe, because this was the action of just one of the co-owners and I don’t think the other co-owners should be punished for the action of one. For those who don’t know, the cafe is worker-run and worker-owned, so there are multiple co-owners. It would be similar to one child swearing to a teacher and the rest of the class getting detention.
This is outrageous and precisely one of the main reasons we moved from the Bay Area (CA) — we were fed up with being surrounded by idiots like this cafe owner who would most certainly not deny help from the police if he were being robbed or had been in a car accident and needed to be saved. I’m glad you reported on this story b/c so many of us take the police for granted and don’t realize that they put their lives on the line on a daily basis and then have to put up with morons like John Langley.
For all those who think they can go it alone… I dare you not to call the police, fire department of EMS after (if your still physically able to) an auto accident or crime in which you are the victim. Lets be searious most of you writing and ranting could not even fight your way out of a wet paper bag, and hopefully you will never have to. For violence is just evil usually inflicted by the weak and ignorant, upon those that have attained what they (the lesser) desire to have .. and are unwilling to aquire by proper/legal means.
If you do not feel this way, by all means journey to a lawless country and be you bad little self .. I dare you.
if being asked to leave a cafe is humiliating, try being shot dead as an innocent citizen by a portland police officer.
Would like to say that not all cops are bad and no I’m not a big fan of them by the way, they have a#$holes in their ranks just like anybody else. Saying that nobody told them to pick their profession, they chose that job so when they’re putting their ass on the line just remember they picked that line of work. Is that shallow of me to think that? No, I served 26 years in the military and knew my ass was on the line but not once did I expect people to thank me for it, I chose it. My point is quit kissing their asses and acting so outraged, I’m sure the guy has faced worse than some vegan weenie who’s afraid of “law enforcement” as we know it.
Too bad. I grew up there. It was a fine city to grow up in, very friendly. Now the place is overrun by hipster people like this cafe owner. They think it’s chic to be counter culture. He probably thinks he is more diverse and more tolerant and so on. The truth is on display. Closed minded, small minded, intolerant, callous, disrespectful. And typical of the customer service you get from today’s hipster youth.
This guy thinks of himself as an anarchist but in reality he simply has a paranoid problem with authority. So if someone walks into his store, in which he carries the hierarchical title of manager, and starts stealing his products, he shouldn’t have a problem with that. That would clearly be anarchist behavior. Well-known anarchist Max Stirner would certainly approve of it. According to Max, the earth belongs to those who know how to take it. Real anarchists kind of have a problem with money, banks, profits, etc. and I wonder if the “anarchist” manager operates that store without all of those. He should if he’s is a real anarchist. He’s just a hypocritical self-righteous uneducated delusional hipster. By his reasoning, it is fully appropriate to stereotype people based on how they are dressed or the type of work they do. He and the other PDX “anarchists” should read some Bakunin and Kropotkin before claiming to be something they are not. Hypocrites yes, anarchists no.
Here are a couple of links where more support for this officer can be found…
http://officerresource.com/forums/f5/oregon-police-officer-asked-leave-vegan-coffee-shop-41810/
http://officerresource.com/forums/f107/officer-resources-official-mission-statement-38335/
you might have heard this before – but i would just like to point out that it is an ANARCHIST cafe first and foremost. as a vegan who loves police officers and greatly appreciates their services, i just want to make it clear that being vegan certainly does not mean you hate cops. it really bothers me that this place is being referred to as a “vegan cafe” all over, just as the police officers are bothered by all of the officer shooting stories that saturate the media.
Very nice article. I haven’t read all the comments so this my be a repeat. I am a retired/disabled Air Force law enforcement officer. (Yes, we really are cops. :-)) I would encourage you to ride with the officer for at least four hours. And if allowed to ride on several different days and shifts. Then write about it. Tell what you saw and felt. Were you scared just stopping to I.D. some local gangbangers? why? What did you feel when yu arrived at a suicide attempt, a robbery or home envasion. — Until you have been on the street observing first hand, the day to day life style of a police officer is pretty mundane, particulary in a jurisdiction like Portland. — Go for it. I think you will find some very interesting informatin to share with the publuc.
Thank you for a well-authored story! I thought being progressive was setting harsh generalisations aside and dealing with people on a respectful level… even people you might not like. Sexism, racism, classism, whatever you brand it, discrimination is still discrimination. Are these so-called “liberals” in favour of equality, or are they willing to forget their so-called morals the minute somehting rubs them the wrong way? That seems quite comparable to the arguments Strom Thurmond made against blacks and Fred Phelps made against gays. Sure bigotry, sexism, anti-sematism, etc. is within your legal right, but is it OK? And as for “calling your buddies” to commit vigilantism in the face of crime, it seems this far-left store owner has something in common with lynch mobs from the 1920’s deep south and the Minutemen that are patrolling our border. That’s just more ironic than rain on your wedding day.
Hooray, Palio’s! They are my favourite coffee shop in Portland. The owner is a great guy, the staff is top-notch, and I’ve seen plenty of Police enjoying an espresso there. Of course, Palio is set up as a more educated, student-oriented locale, so I’ll vastly generalise and say that more level-headed, fair-minded, and intellectual people are going to be doing business there than an “anarchist cafe” that exists because of and thanks to free-market capitalism.
Thank you for what you did for this officer. Your support means more than you know. I came across this article and was appalled that human beings could act this shamefully to Law Enforcement.
I wrote about this as well and brought it to others attention on other sites so the public could see what officers deal with at times. Maybe if the public has any shred of decency in them, this will cause them to be appalled too.
I love the irony. The owner is a Capitalist first and an Anarchist second.
Get the cops money and THEN kick him out… Classy
I like to think of myself as an open minded person. I have had the opportunity to go on a ride along with a local police officer and all i have to say to all of the people that protest against law enforcement is go on a ride along first and then you can make an informed decision about police officers. Not knowing what they deal with on a daily basis and judging them based on partial information is idiotic.
As far as the red and black is concerned the sad part is if something happens and they call the police, the PPD will still do there job in a professional manner and assist them in anyway they could. Hopefully this is a wake up call to all of us.
I have to weigh in in favor of the Red And Black cafe’s actions and stance, for reason many ohters have already cited – mainly falling under right to refuse anyone and having a customer based who are routinely harassed by police.
I used to be a stance supporter of police until I witness several cases of police abuse, excessive force and until I began reading the writings of a former police officer who realized that he was an adrenaline junkie, hurting the people he was being paid to protect and serve.
Seeing police abuse videos like the one of police officers gathered after a participating in crowd control efforts in Seattle laughing about having shot a lady lawyer in the face with a bean bag served as a clear indicator to me of how most police actually feel and think about us as civilians.
So kudos to the cafe and for the lady who wrote the article, “WAKE UP!”
I’ve been a police officer for 11 years. In Detroit. I have never heard of anything like this happening here, but given the tensions that abound here it wouldnt surprise me. All one can do if placed into this situation is respond professionally (and at the same wonder if there is a hidden agenda behind the request to vacate a protective presence from a specific location). Frankly, I may investigate further simply based upon the abnormality of that type of behavior.
However, the primary reason that I posted a response was to address something far more ridiculous. In all my years as a law enforcement officer (or, Pig, if it suites you), I have never been exposed to any secret plot. I have never been “read-in” on any secret plan, and have never been a member of any type of super-secret unit, although I have been on many task forces and special project missions. Most of the time we pigs are given the mushroom treatment (kept in the dark and fed a lot of sh$t), and we seldom have time to do anything but respond to 911 calls and do the resultant paperwork. Good God, do I wonder where these conspiracy theories come from. Are people that bored? Are people that desperate to believe that there are shadow forces at work here? Everytime I read something like that it’s like reading the old anti-semetic literature from the last 150 or more years (its not lesure reading, it’s a part of a Master degree class).
Come on people. This has got to stop. Contact your local law enforcement department and schedule yourself some “ride-along” or “observation” time. You’ll never really get it unless you do it.
I have been to Palio’s and it is a very nice little place to study with friends!! Good food and coffee!!
Thank you for sharing this story. I’m saddened that there is a business in town who would disrespect the police like that when they protect their business EVERY day. I will be sure to NOT give my business to this cafe nor will my family. I also intend on spreading this message.
Mr. Langley’s behavior towards the officer was despicable! Thanks for getting the word out about this and for being the class act you are in how you handled the entire situation. It was nice of you to approach the officer with words of gratitude about his work. Police officers nationwide put their uniforms on daily and put their lives on the line for the safety of us all. Any shop owner should be grateful for a police officer’s presence and should roll out the welcome mat instead of the ugly display of crude, rude, and ignorant behavior that was displayed by Mr. Langley. You, Cornelia, are a class act!
Two comments (among many) I find very troubling in what you have written about your experience:
“People hear about the unfortunate police shootings, but rarely do they hear about the day in and day out reality of police putting their lives on the line and saving people.”
I suggest you research how many positive reports on the police exist compared to negative reports. Oddly, it is you who seem to be blind to the positive because those positive reports appear much more frequently than the negative. Perhaps not recently, however, and for good reason.
“I thought, wow, here this police officer is trying to protect the very people that hate him.”
You contradict yourself and demonstrate a tremendous lack of critical thinking skills with this statement. You just finished quoting one of the owners of The Red and Black as saying, “I don’t feel comfortable with you here, I would like you to leave.”
If that is an expression of hate I wonder what you consider not to distant words directed by the OCA and other local religious organizations toward homosexuals and those who believe in reproductive choice. Would I be welcome in your congregation if I walked in with my beard while wearing a miniskirt, fishnet stockings, pumps and a “Protect A Woman’s Right To Choose” t-shirt? I expect I would be accused of trying to incite a reaction, even if I simply liked feeling air freely moving between my legs and the tautness the stockings brought to my calves and thighs.
Everyone deserves a sanctuary. That’s why I haven’t shown up dressed as described at your or any other congregation in town. That’s why an organization which openly distrusts the police deserves the same privilege as your congregation.
Ms. Cornelia,
Without addressing the shameful comments of some posters here, may I just say…
Thank you. Your view and comments are appreciated.
I am an aspiring police officer. I should be getting hired on in the next 2 weeks in GA. I was born and raised on the west coast in Washington. I can’t believe there are people out there that would NOT want a police officer in their establishment. Not all police officers are bad I would say 95-98% of all officers are good and won’t get corrupted.
http://trends.google.com/trends?q=red+and+black+cafe&ctab=0&geo=all&date=2010
It does seem like Cornelia has brought them a ton of publicity at least!
And finally, since the owner and the officer both kept things respectful, I believe Cornelia is most at fault here. With your site down for most of the past couple of days, I guess your pot stirring was successful for you–even if it added to the tension between police and public. Common Sense, out!
My favourite comments here by far are the other business owners plugging their coffee shops/cheese-steak stands…
When Police won’t do anything, at least an anarchist will…
http://news.infoshop.org/article.php?story=20091109172130443
Poor wealthy people…discrimination is rough, huh!? One question, though…how can you successfully boycott a business few of you ever patronized in the first place? That’ll kick him in the wallet!
the reason they had more supporters on their facebook page than negative comments is because you have to say you like them to join thier facebook before you can leave a message. I wasn’t going to do that. they do have the right to refuse business, but he already sold him the coffee and made his money, then told him he had to leave. Very wrong. Also, one last thing. What happens if they have an emergency and need to call 911, then I bet they would want the police there!
Thank you for putting this on your blog. It amazes me to read some of these comments.This makes me so sad that people today are like this. My spouse was an officer for over 10 years and took pride in his job and career. Most folks have no idea what this job is or how they put their life on the line everyday they work. People are willing to judge the police on what the media portrays them as in these shootings. These “judges” have no idea what these situations were like except what they heard on TV and that is not the whole story. I will always stand behind these men and woman who protect our cities daily and nightly. God bless them all.
Umm, peace activists protect people. They wear a uniform, but it’s not a scary uniform like cops uniforms. Treehuggers and vegans don’t think they should control people, that people are adult enough to control themselves and leave other people alone. This restaurant has every right to ask somebody to leave; the cop was not “thrown out.” He was asked to leave.
Cops do a JOB. It does not have to be appreciated. I appreciate garbage collectors more than I do cops.
I think what the establishmnet did was right. Good for you!
Police officers just don’t like being put in their place.
Great job Read and Black. I wish there were more people like yourselves that dont suck up to police officers.
Awesome!!!
Exactly Tracerracer!! That was my point exactly!!! They did NOT refuse service at all!! They took his money and provided the service! The officer was THEN kicked out!!! That isn’t fair!!
Wow! Did you read all the rules, regulations, orders, restrictions, etc on their website for their “patrons”. Sounds more like an officious employer policy for employees, not customers!
check out their “safer place policy” etc etc
They sure sound facist and very closed minded, (unless you think like them of course….do they hear their own hypocrisy?! http://redandblackcafe.com/
and if you dont join the IWW union, you can’t work there either.
Kudos to the Red & Black Cafe! It would take an idiot to not realize that Government workers/agents would be unwelcome in an ANARCHIST cafe. Unlike some of the pro- police state bedwetters who can’t function without big daddy government watching over their shoulder constantly, some of us can function perfectly well WITHOUT cops. That’s what the right to self-defense is all about and that’s why I feel safe on my own terms. Anyone tries to break into my house or cause any serious misdeed on my property better be prepared to meet his or her maker. Remember: when seconds count, cops are only minutes away. NOBODY has a constitutional right to police protection (google it and get educated), so that brings up the point: if we cannot count on police protection, what do they exist for anyway? Why am I being forced to pay for a “service” (and bad service at that) that I do not use and have no intention of using? people on here are complaining about the cafe supposedly taking the cop’s money and providing no service…sounds like karma to me!
Remember when cops used to be called “peace officers”? Now they are called “law enforcement officers” with the duty to NOT keep peace, but to enforce the laws, whether those laws are good or bad.
Again, kudos to the cafe.
this article is a biased peice of crap.
Granted, the owner of the Red and Black comes off as a whiny, pedantic, passive-aggressive simp, but the fact remains that in America, we have the right to legitimately refuse service to anyone.
It also bears mentioning that this account is just one side of the story, and this side isn’t exactly told in a neutral fashion. (I believe even the writer would agree with me there.)
But if the Red and Black is treating people like that, they won’t be in business for very long. And if the co-owner really did say something as patently stupid as “DURR I’D CALL MY FRIENDS IN THE COMMUNITY IF ME GET ROBBED”, then that time in business is likely to be all the shorter.
As an officer thank you for taking the time to bring attention to this. I think you would really enjoy a ride-a-long with an officer you might even check with the department closest to where you live.
Both sides have valid points, and I know that this can be a heated discussion. Simple fact is that the guy did have the right to throw the officer out. I disagree with his opinion, and I think that he grossly generalized a group of people, but he does have the right. I also agree that it promotes an atmosphere of misunderstanding to lump this officer in with the bad occurrences that have happened recently and that many people today do not understand just what these officers go through. Also I find many of the comments written here to be very ignorant of the human condition. Corruption and abuse of power is something that this country was built to fight against. It is our duty to be vigilant against power-happy public officials. But to take the shootings and simply cry “we need anarchy” is school-yard mentality. History shows that any time there was anarchy, it wasn’t long before the people BEGGED for a dictatorship. That’s how bad it gets when people realize that they have no security. To think that we don’t need the police is idealistic nonsense and has no place in the universal truths of cause and effect. Get your nose out of the books and see what real life is like. Also, you’re too hateful with some of your comments. If you can’t filter your prejudice, than your point is moot and you should shut up and sit down so the grownups can talk.
I work in SE and am a frequent customer at Bipartisan Cafe. I see police officers there on a regular basis, eating and enjoying some of the finest coffee and pie in PDX. I’ve never once been uncomfortable in their presence, and I’ve never seen anything that would make me think uniformed or plain-clothes officers would be unwelcome. Please support Bipartisan Cafe and other community-oriented businesses like it.
I’ve had some of the worst customer service I’ve ever experienced at Red and Black. I work for AmeriCorps and was meeting a member for an orientation. I work at an ESD and have to wear professional office attire…and was definitely the victim of profiling at their old location.
The person at the counter seemed indignant at taking my order, and served three other people behind me their drinks before I ever received mine. To the point where another customer behind me had to ask whether I’d been helped yet because they were about to receive their order.
The woman behind the counter was not pleased at having to serve me my drink and did not thank me for my patronage. It must be nice to take money from folks and then treat them like shit afterwards. Guess there is no moral qualm in regards to Capitalism.
I’ve never been back since. There are plenty of other cafes in the area who know how to decently treat working class people. When I need to meet with folks, I make sure to avoid this location.
Not surprised this incident happened, and though I would like to support an employee owned business…but not at the expense of my dignity. Thanks Red and Black for proving me to me that anarchists are jerks. 🙂
Interesting, I think, in light of the reference made to the red and black cafe on the first page of the book they were discussing… Referring to how Jesus said to act when being wronged and how the officer chose to respond. It was a life illustration of the point in the book at the very location in the book – poetic… (you can download the first chapter from that link she provides in her blog)
To my brothers in arms, come to Philly and stop at Genos for a cheese steak. They have a table set aside for officers. To the owner of the Red and Black Cafe, you need more red meat in your diet, Genos would have the sense not to serve you though.
Wow, way to take a stand. Take his money first, that is based on real principles. (gag)
I hope his business bellies up very soon…..what an idiot. Bet he wouldn’t ask a banger to leave.
People view the police based on their experiences with them. When you break the law and spend time with people who break the law you are not going to find the police very friendly. My husband is a Portland officer and he works with all sorts of guys, some great and a few jerks. For the most part they are motivated by wanting to do good and protect law abiding citizens. Power always has the power to corrupt as we see with our politicians daily and the police bureau is no different. What most people don’t realize though is that there is heavy accountability for officers. Complaints are viewed by an impartial board and consequences are met out on a regular basis. If an officer was not fired for his actions it is because he acted within his training. For change to really occur the training has to change, not a specific officer losing his job. I am very thankful for the Police and the job they do. I got my first ticket last month speeding though and I can tell you I went home telling my husband the police suck! ha ha. How quickly I became the victim even though I was only facing the consequences of breaking the law. The red and black cafe’s actions were ignorant and just showed that the open mindedness they supposedly have is non-existent. They are people who uphold the superiority of their own ideas and promote hate.
Jacob…………They didn’t refuse service……………HE TOOK HIS MONEY, gave him a cup of coffee and THEN kicked him out……That is NOT ‘right to refuse’………….That is being a jerk…………….
An “anarchist” cafe? Pardon my giggles…but, I’m betting that “anarchist” cafe uses public utilities, and is on a public road, probably has patrons who are public employees…the list goes on. Anarchy is a laughable (at best) concept.
Denying service to a unifomred officer is just plain rude. The fact of the matter is, the cafe owner is just reinforcing the “us vs. them” mentality that makes true progress impossible.
I’m in complete agreement with the business owner, and I’m not a weed toting anarchist Buffalo Dan. Portland police have squandered the trust of the community, over and over again. Give me good reasons to trust the police. They need to earn back this trust. It’s their own damn fault. You go around blasting unarmed people over and over and this is what you get. There are consequences. PPD, WE DON’T TRUST YOU! Bravo to Mr. Langley! Also, Blogger, your “he had me at hello” shows how easily you were swayed by the police officer. Was it his uniform? Looks? Your TACKY bias is revolting!
you say he is discriminated against simply by what he is wearing, I think that was also what the store owner had said , that the local police discriminate against those who are unhoused. I applaud the owner for stating his facts it is the one time that someone can excersize their rights to be free from fear, even if the man was an officer.
There’s a hot cup of coffie here at the Dutch Oven Bed and Breakfast for your officers
Are your experiences so limited that you can not understand how someone could feel like the police are not always on our side?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gH9k8L3oDa4&feature=player_embedded#!
A video collection of “police attacks” around the nation. We must realize that trust is earned and that goes for institutions also.
One thing the Portland PD won’t have to worry about is responding to any Robberies, Assaults, Burglaries, Shots Fired etc. because all his friends will come a running or NOT.
But when it does happen… The Co-Owner will be screaming “Where were the Police!”
Dobrogost Zawadzki….I really like that idea…thanks for the chuckle!!!
My husband is a Police Officer in Washington. Unfortunately a coffee shop is a place where he has some of the only positive interactions with the public on a daily basis. Police Officers have a 99 percent thankless job and it is a shame that this coffee shop owner is so ignorant. There are people who step up in our society and put others (total strangers) before themselves each day (I know there are other professions that do the same, but they don’t run toward an armed bank robber). I know my husband has read this story and while I’m sure it angers him to some extent, I’m sure he is more disappointed. He deals with people all day who definitely don’t like the police, but you know what, they respect the job he does and the fact he is there to do it. This coffee shop owner needs a reality check. If he and his single minded friends feel there are problems with police in his community maybe he should help to solve the problem instead of creating one. He said he would not call the police if there was a crime in his shop – really?
Thank you for the courage & responsibility to write on this incident. We all have our own ugly truths to face; hopefully this coffee shop owner will become aware of his own hypocrisy and make a thoughtful adjustment. I’m grateful to live where help is just a call away & to the men & women who protect & serve our city. There are crooked people in all professions. Fortunately, we have checks & balances to deal with that. Unfortunately, we don’t focus our media attention on the majority who are upstanding. I am embarrassed and sorry an officer experienced this bigotry, but impressed by his attitude to not take it personally.
Great work, Cornelia! You handled that with a perfect dash of grace and outrage. 🙂
BuffaloDan says:
“Vegans” who feel “persecuted” probably have a bag of weed on them. Try obeying the laws and you won’t feel so “persecuted”.
I thought Buffalo was disfunctional, until I read about this mess. We got over the Racist Cops stuff a while ago, here; don’t you have Black police officers out West? We even have a Black mayor.
Wow… what a sad, yet typical, response from a racist, classist, (dietist?) bigot. A black mayor and everything? Gee, ain’t that somethin’?
A few years ago, I was mugged at gunpoint. I was cool enough not to get my guts blown out, then ran to the nearest shop, had them call the cops – who came within 2 minutes, had me jump into the back seat, and we ran down the bastards. Oh, sorry – we ran down the poor, unfortunate Victims Of The Police, who were forced by Societal Ills to terrorize people with guns. They are now serving 15 years. Hooray for the cops !
Sure you did… a cumbersome automobile “ran down” people on foot with a two-minute head start. Don’t get me wrong, muggers deserve to be in prison, but at least try to make your trolling believable. I give it 3/10.
/a black mayor and everything!
I, too, live in a city with a corrupt and dangerous police force, and I commend Mr. Langley for having the courage to act in the best interests of his customers. By her own admission, Ms. Signeur lives a very sheltered, privileged life in the suburbs; of course she is “baffled” and “distraught” as she probably has never been the victim of a crime perpetrated by a police officer.
In the mid-1990s, my uncle was murdered by a police officer (who broke several laws and department policies in the process). Of course nothing happened, and my family still grieves in the absence of justice. Friends have been subjected to illegal searches, some of which involved theft of their property by police officers. Others have even been detained in the complete absence of any charges (when this happens, it’s always “probable cause” aka “I don’t like the looks of you” or “what business do you have driving around at 3am?”). Personally, a speeding police cruiser hit my car several months ago causing $4,000 worth of damage. They acted like they were doing me a favor by not writing me a ticket, and I was stuck paying my $500 insurance deductible to fix my car. That’s theft and destruction of property, but I guess that’s A-OK to Ms. Signeur.
OMG this is HILARIOUS! People are defending the pansy who told the cop to leave AFTER ACCEPTING his money for the coffee! What a brave owner this café has! LMAO
I’m assuming the owner of the store asked the “cop” to leave because he assumed the “cop” was harassing one of his customers.
Sorry “cops” but you give yourself a bad name.
If I was in the store and saw the cop stop at someones table I’d assume they’re getting ready to write a ticket, I’d probably just stand back and let them do their thing because if you walk up to them that’s just an excuse for them to write you a ticket.
Screw the glorified meter maids who are put on a pedestal because their jobs are so dangerous.
Please, like you said, you live in the suburbs, I’m sure there is very little crime in your town, the cops in your suburb just like mine are useless. If you call them for a break in they will not dust for fingerprints and basicly tell you if you didn’t see the person break in you’re sheet out of luck.
“Cops” in my town are paid to harass the citizens of my city, to write them tickets, they can write you a ticket, but when you need them to help you they say “Sorry we can’t do a damn thing.”
It sucks that so many people support everything that’s wrong with this country.
I don’t like how glorified meter maids pretend that they are there to protect people when they mainly as a revenue service for the city they work in.
The truth is there is a very small percentage of cops that help solve crimes and try to prevent them from happening, the vast majority of “cops” are paid to write tickets for a living.
Thanks for your support. We spend 99% of the time dealing with the5% worst of the worst. It is nice to know that a few people still realize how much the job needs to be done.
Should have skipped out on the bill and let him ponder the irony of it.
Cafe is POS
I am surprised people are siding with the cafe on this issue. They have the right to refuse service to anyone within reason, not for any reason. If Jacob understood the article he would know that the officer was already served because he had his coffee when the manager appraoched him. What law did the officer break by ordering a cup of coffee? They served him so they had no right to make him leave their store. What would they have done if he refused to leave? Were they going to call the police? The cafe’s management and the people that agree with them are giving Portland an extremely bad name. Despite the anger that some oregonians feel about police, that officer was only trying to get a cup of coffee. Every state in the union has procedures for dealing with police misconduct and all citizens are urged to go through the proper channels if they want to make a report. The cafe management gives the impression that criminals are more respected than police in Portland and I hope that is not the case.
I also want to add that, the owner did NOT refuse service at all. In fact, the officer paid for the service (coffee) and the owner provided the said service. It was after the service was provided that the officer was asked to leave the premises.
Also, to me, the phrase “we reserve the right to refuse service to anyone” means that the owner reserves the right to refuse service based upon the patron’s actions. Not their race, age, gender, creed, sexual orientation, clothes or affiliations.
As an aspiring law enforcement officer, I was extremely disappointed to hear about this. Officers protect our society, whether individuals like it or not. Who would have those cafe owners called if their store was robbed? They were happy to take the officer’s money, but even happier to throw him out. I know the anxiety of wondering if I have done anything wrong as I pass a police officer, even though I aspire to be an officer myself, I think its normal! Speeding tickets aren’t cheap and parking tickets rack up really fast. So the point about the cop making the patrons uncomfortable is ridiculous.
Kudos to you for writing this, I appreciate it. I have received and dealt with a lot of ridicule just for desiring to be an officer of the law, especially as a woman. Reading your article gave me hope, that somewhere out there, there are still people who appreciate people like me. People who desire nothing other than to protect those around them.
This isn’t an article. This is a biased journal entry from a white, christian privileged woman who’s only experience with the police has been a parking ticket. Cornelia, you probably have a very skewed view of how the police handle things. They are violent on a consistent basis in Portland and seem to shoot and/or kill somebody every couple weeks or so. Maybe if one of your family members was beaten or killed by cops you would sing a different tune.
Where can the police get a cup of coffee? How about a Starbucks? You should join them there and get all fonzy like!
To Liberal Daughter of LAPD who posted on June 3.
Thank you so much for your posting, it brought tears to my eyes….This will stay with me for a long time and I really hope others read your post and take it to heart.
” It is not the badge that makes the person, it is the person that makes the badge. Just as the outward appearance of someone does not designate them to be a criminal, burnout, or whatever other stereotype you can come up with, a person who chooses to wear a uniform does not make them a bully or a bad person. People should be judged by the content of their character not the color of their skin, choice of clothing, choice of profession, to paraphrase MLK jr.”
Why does it have to be so black and white? (he he) Cops do serve the public. And they are well paid to do so. But does this mean that they are above criticism for their abuses? And let’s face it, A heavily armed battallion of officers should not need to use lethal force on an unarmed mentally ill man. Common sense would suggest the mere prospect of harm to a police is not sufficient cause to use lethal force. There ought to be the prospect of lethal harm to a police before lethal force is used in turn. (i.e. a gun is drawn…).
The “there are a few bad apples” argument ignores the serial frequency of police inflicted fatalaties. This suggests a culture of savagery and even bloodlust in the Portland Police.
Now was the Red and Black worker in any danger from that policeman? Of course not. And to suggest so is idiotic.
And it is also true that the Red and Black worker ignored the person that he was dealing with and instead acted at the symbol of the uniform. This is how hate happens, not admirable in any way really.
But it need not be black and white. Police do appear to subhumanize certain members of the community, and there seems to be a lack of a proportionate sense of service and compassion to the diverse citizens of Portland. Why shouldn’t there be social consequences for the police for endemic brutality?
As is so often the case, both sides in this one are kind of lame. But the cop seems like a good guy.
Thank you Ms. Seigneur for sharing this story. Thank you Portland Police for all that you do to take care of Portland.
Dylan,
Not to point out the obvious, but when you sat that a policeman is most likely killed by his own gun rather than an attacker, who do you think is holding the officer’s guy at the time of discharge?
Trying to compare job fatalities of law enforcement to logging, fisherman, ect… is an ignorant statement because most officers are killed by a sentient being (the human aggressor) not a tow line or a choppy ocean. Try to compare apples to apples in the future an you’ll sound more intelligent.
I hope all of you who are in favor of the cop being asked to leave and “fear cops” never need a cop. If you do then you are a hypocrite. I know the dangers cops have to face as I have seen many of those dangers just working in an ER. If people listened to the cops there would be no shootings but the idiots have to shoot or try to leave or hurt an officer and expect to walk away without a scratch now there is stupidity.
you disappoint me and make me ashamed to live in the same city as you, sadly. and weve never even met. sigh… all i can think to say is have a backbone, and stop starting fights about worthless ___@ you dont even understand. End.
I’d like to visit this place in uniform and wait for them to ask me to leave. Then sit there to see who they were gonna call.
When I first read the headline, I thought to myself, “What SE cafe would do something like that?” My immediate guess was the Red and Black. I have been in several times and so has my boyfriend. My boyfriend really wanted to support the place because it was worker owned. Once, I went to the Red and Black directly from work and was dressed in work clothes. I can hardly describe the hostile looks I got. I had the clear sense that I was being sized up disapprovingly because of my dress. I may have even been wearing pantyhose. They must have thought I was a Republican…or worse. I am surprised I wasn’t kicked out. It’s just so ironic that people who protest profiling do so much of it themselves. We really tried to make it our coffee shop, but they always made us very unwelcome. I think we didn’t fit their profile any more than the police officer did.
I also find incredibly amusing that people are so quick to judge the POLICE. Granted like all professions we have good and bad among our ranks. Most of us do it not because the money is good or the prestige of wearing a badge. Nor do we do it for the power trip of being able to bark orders because we have a gun. We do it because we have a desire to live in a place where our families can walk around without fear of being robbed or attacked. I’ve seen even the toughest of criminals beg for help when they were trapped in a car after an accident or had their car stolen from their driveway. Owners that don’t want Police at their buisness fine be sure to post a sign out front saying we don’t like cops and we don’t want them here under any circumstances. Then well see how long it takes before the buisness is trashed. As for our job your right for the most part it’s not any more dangerous than a lot of profession but unlike other jobs we can’t just step away when things get tough. We can’t take a step to the side and say hey that’s not my problem. No we have to deal with everything we are sent to. We at times do the job that most are afraid to do. We do it so that the owner of the cafe has the right to say no or that people can post their opinions on this site. We enforce the law to preserve the freedoms that we all enjoy. Don’t like cops think about how your next trip to town would be if every intersection you came to you had to stop and be on full alert for that drunk behind the wheel that doesn’t care about the red light or stop sign.
Kudos to you Ms. Seigneur for your outlook on the world, people and life. I’d take the offer of a ride-along if I were you. You’ll see that part of life which policemen/women have to be prepared to face everyday in order to protect you and yours. You only saw a small, albeit mean-spirited, part of it in the behavior of the cafe owner.
@Bruce-
if you truly were a cop, then you have seen the intolerable actions that the police have taken over the past twenty years. You wear the same badge, then you take on the responsibility, The good and the bad of the mantle. I personally don’t feel safe around anyone with a gun.
Who says anyone has to trust some 22-32 year old with a badge and a sidearm? Does that make him gloriously rational in all situations?
Cheers to the Red and Black for taking a stand for proper rights.
your flowers and rainbows response promoting the police is great but you need to recognize that there are just as many dirty cops as there are good cops and there are just as many ignorant actions by officers of the law as there are good actions.
Bad actions by police officers ruin it for the good officers. Until they can clean up their own organization, they deserve the grief they get. Don’t treat them any different.
I hope that no civil unrest occurs so that no Red & Black employee or customer ever has to -*gasp*- call the evil blue people for help.
What disgusting bigotry. Starbucks, wipe these bigots out of business!:-))) When you do, I will triumphantly hold a toast with a Starbucks Americano.
thank you for a rational report for the event at the red and black. i believe that you are a very credible witness.
hi mom nice article
It’s the right of business owners “to refuse service to ANYONE for any reason”? So business owners can refuse to serve blacks because of the color of their skin? Jews because of their religion? Gays because of their sexual orientation? Jacob, you might want to put down the Rand Paul manifesto and educate yourself on Constitutional law. That’s the American way.
If the shop owner felt his clients might be intimidated by the officers presence (like the blogger initially did), I don’t feel it was arrogant to ask him to leave.
It could be taken as an opportunity by the officer and blogger to open the mind of the shop owner. Maybe they should approach him with the same offer he made her… a ride along. I have a friend that wasn’t happy at all with our locale police (his area had zero police response at night… to far out for officer safety… but they will come out in the day to take a report on the shootings. He went through the ‘citizen’s academy’ and did a ride along, it really opens your mind to what the police are dealing with most of their shift. I think having citizens along also may have a positive effect on the officers attitudes. They get to spend a significant chunk of their day dealing with someone that isn’t a ‘perp’ that isn’t a cop.
I like win/win scenarios, and if we got this shop owner into the FRONT seat of a police car for a shift, and maybe then some of his customers do the same, both sides might get a bit more friendly with the other.
I find it incredibly amusing that people are saluting this business owner or co owner as it may be for asking this officer to leave. However, if they really believe that it was great from them to ask this officer to leave because police officers are such horrible human beings. Why is there no outrage about the fact they served the police officer and took his money. The officer was still leaving he was talking with a patron who was enjoying their food and beverage who struck up conversation first. Based on this article the co owner made the patron feel uncomfortable so does that mean that they are going to ask him to leave too? Because according to what has been posted it is a “safer place” so if anyone makes someone uncomfortable no matter what the reason they will be asked to leave. Interesting idea. I know this business is not going to lose patronage but I do hope that they experience some peaceful protesting out front so they can see what it is like.
Congrats to you Dylan, you may be the biggest idiot ever.
If he wants to blend in & wants to feel understood , He can go to a f*ing Starbucks (like the rest of you) .
kudos to Red&Black for exercising their right as business owners & american working class to refuse service to ANYONE for any reason.
Rose says I would have loved to be there to see that cop get kicked out. I think it’s very important to state to cops that they make people feel uncomfortable….because they do! That lady who witnessed it and was horrified that the cop was kicked out, but was also intimidated by him when she first saw him, thinking she did something wrong. I think it’s hilarious that she started talking about the police shootings with the police officer inside the Red & Black. I bet that also made him feel uncomfortable. He probably didn’t want his fellow police officers and others to know he got kicked out as it was probably embarrassing. But instead he had to run into a Christian blogger who felt the need to let everyone know. I think it’s great that this happened because it stirs up conversation with community members we would not normally interact with. So many people live in the suburbs and are sheltered from police activity and it’s conversations like this that can help people understand what’s actually going on in our communities.
I will be supporting you even more! You have shown that you will stand up for our community and that is really inspiring.
THANK YOU RED AND BLACK!!!!
Anyone who is “afraid of the Police”
should take a good look at themselves. I was a Police Officer for 26 years and have dealt with all kinds of people in all kinds of situations, mostly people that are in a very low point in their life. I have been cussed at, spit at, threatened (my family also), assaulted. Never in my career had I ever been treated like the Portland officer was. I praise his demeanor during this incident. Yes, the Portland Police have been under extreem scrutiny lately. The bottom line is, every person that they have “had” to shoot was not complying with the Officers orders and had the intention of harming the Officer. People have no idea what a Police Ofice goes through durine a “normal” shift. Every day an Officer puts on the uniform and badge, he/she had sworn to protect the public. Police Officers don’t take that duty lightly. To have people treat the Police like this turns my stomach. I hope the public takes heed to this and choses to not do business with this Cafe. They truely aren’t concerned with the safety of their customers, or the general public. Also, to the “Manager” of the Red and Black Cafe: I truely hope that you never need the police because I’m sure your “friends” won’t be able to help you. The Portland Police are the only ones you will be able to count on when you need them.
I’m tired of the view that police have a dangerous job. More garbage men, loggers, and fishermen are killed on the job then police and there are far more deaths and injuries in construction work then being a police officer. Also, police are more likely to be killed by their own firearm then by an attacker.
perhaps you need to realize that this is an ANARCHIST CAFE. anarchists consider the state and our government to be unnecessary and harmful. knowing that, are you really that surprised that they asked a police officer to leave?
Becka – then tell your husband that if he does not report cops racially profiling, beating up people without justification, or attacking protesters, then he is just as bad as they are.
“All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.” – attributed to Edmund Burke
“Vegans” who feel “persecuted” probably have a bag of weed on them. Try obeying the laws and you won’t feel so “persecuted”.
I thought Buffalo was disfunctional, until I read about this mess. We got over the Racist Cops stuff a while ago, here; don’t you have Black police officers out West? We even have a Black mayor.
A few years ago, I was mugged at gunpoint. I was cool enough not to get my guts blown out, then ran to the nearest shop, had them call the cops – who came within 2 minutes, had me jump into the back seat, and we ran down the bastards. Oh, sorry – we ran down the poor, unfortunate Victims Of The Police, who were forced by Societal Ills to terrorize people with guns. They are now serving 15 years. Hooray for the cops !
The “co-owner” is a small-minded idiot, plain and simple. Sign me up as a left-leaning veg that will never step foot in this establishment.
I’m impressed with the grace the police officer showed, I can’t say that I’d be as rational as he was.
I will never go to this cafe, and it’s a shame. I spend my good money on road trips to Portland to check out the scene there, I like to go to hole in the wall places and get good veg grub. The self expression in this blog, and the manner of the police officer speak more highly of the good people of Oregon than the thinly veiled bigotry of this cafe owner. Thank you for being honest in your blog, everyone IS allowed their own opinion. I hope that this officer has found a happier reception elsewhere, he deserves it. The Portland Police should be proud that he’s one of theirs, he represents himself very well.
Well here’s one place that is off my list…and I live at @ SE 22nd and Pine. The Portland Police are here to serve and protect the citizens of the city of Portland. They have a tough job. They deserve our appreciation and respect. They also deserve to be stop, take a break, grab cup of coffee and relax. This idiot perpetuates a whole host of problems that could have been avoided….idiocy. Embarrassing, really.
Its easy for white suburban yuppies to gasp with horror about the treatment of the “poor Police” since they are paid to protect you. If you were black, mentally ill, o poor, I am sure you would have a different attitude.
While I do believe that some things could have been done differently in recent police shootings, and that there are also reasons for people to believe that racism and classism still exist, I don’t believe that it’s fair to group every police officer into the same category. Some people have mentioned that they have never personally been helped by a police officer, but I believe that the fact that there is a system in place, like the police department and our laws, that DOES prevent some people from doing more damage or hurt towards others than if it wasn’t there. So, in effect, you benefit from our laws and system whether or not you have ever personally been confronted by a bad situation that required police intervention.
Anyone who speaks out and groups every single anarchist together is also doing the same thing that the coffee shop owner is doing. Maybe every single anarchist business owner would have done the same thing, maybe not. Maybe every police officer is a bad person, maybe not. But I believe that we should try to see the good in everyone, no matter who you are, before we assume the worst. More often than not, it leads to a better outcome…….
Call his friends in the community… sad to see how ignorant some people are. Wonder how that will work out… would think they would give a police officer a free cup of coffee for ensuring they are safe, but ignorance is bliss and this co-owner was clearly blissful.
Had the owner done this to a black patron, someone of Middle Eastern descent, or a Latino, the community would probably burn his shop down in the middle of the night. As it stands, I think it is only fair that he post a sign in bold letters out front that he does not want police patronage so they will not waste their hard-earned money on a small minded lunatic such as himself. Kudos to the author for standing up to him.
What you saw was not discriminatory by your explanation, and a legitimate exercise of property rights.
I would not let armed thugs, badged or not, in my home either. And neither should you. And if I suspected that one was present, even if I was wrong, I would ask him to leave. I would do so politely as this business owner did.
I fail to see the problem.
I’d love to open up a store to boot cops out of, and guess what, no I’m not a dealer, actually my criminal record consists of fishing without a license when I was 18. Cops are not your friend, they have three missions in their job, find a way to get you in jail, find a way to fine you, or find a way to protect each other pushing the boundaries of the first two. I have no use for cops at all. Getting pulled over for a plate light being out and being spoken to like I was a 3 year old only reinforced my feelings towards these psychos. From me they get the same amount of respect they give. Non whatsoever.
Oh and for the “you’ll change your mind when you need one crowd” Kid’s bike stolen, car broken into (twice) and someone testing a window in the back out my house in the last year. Amount of cops called:0. I wouldn’t even call one if I had a knife sticking out of my back. Not worth the attitude you get from them.
You won’t believe this but I called the cafe to lodge a complaint and the infamous manager hung up on me. When I called back, he told me to stop calling or…..he would “call the police”!!!! We shouldn’t be too hard on him. He sounds quite young. I hope he learns something from this. I hope we all do.
Just a general comment after reading all the replies; this shared story has generated too much concern, an ironic intolerance for intolerance, at least as defined by this blog. Everyone seems to be missing the point of what the R&B is and what it stands for. This is a worker owned cooperative business, so ownership is shared by everyone who works there. If one “co-owner” has an opinion, that doesn’t mean it is automatically shared by every co-owner-worker, or even necessarily by the customers. The R&B is a wonderful little place to feel accepted and equal, to get very low-priced healthy food and enjoy free donated reading materials focused on how to change the world. It’s just like a flashback to the hippie cafes from the ’60s, not stylish but functional. People come there to escape judgement, to blend in as a human. Anyone in a uniform in there would seem completely out of place, especially if carrying a gun, and especially if representing the Portland Police in this time of controversy about weapon use appropriateness. On the other hand, anyone who comes in there as just a person is very welcome.
Officer Crooker said he was getting a take out coffee, so not really intending to stay. The issue isn’t over cheating him out of his purchase, it’s only about not hanging out there as an authority figure. I totally agree that our Police have an essential public service to perform, and they have been a positive factor in my life when I needed them. But shouldn’t there be some places where authority figures with uniforms are not considered appropriate, where you hang up your authority identity in order to be like everyone else?
One other thought is that the R&B is near a social service assistance center, so they often get very low income people off the streets just looking for a warm place to sit and maybe drink some tea or coffee. Those people aren’t turned away unless they cause problems, but in such circumstances as I have witnessed there, interacting with a difficult person hasn’t required a gun or weapon or threat of violence or heavy handed authority. My guess is that if a uniformed cop with a gun was in there, it might even attract a provocation from someone who normally avoided authority figures.
The Red and Black should be accepted as a unique community center that stands for individuals working together, providing good food for low incomes, where everyone is welcome if they are just willing to be equal.
Well, I dont have much respect for these cops….. I guess it is all based on your life experiences. The more you come in contact with the bad cops the more cheated and helpless you feel and take it out at any opportunity you get. In Oakland CA a youngster raped a 14year old and killed 4 cops in the process. on the anniversary day to respect the killed officers there was a memorial held and the local people and cop gathered and some were interviewed, I heard the interview and the kids there thought the cop killer was a hero. I was shocked to think this killer who raped a kid was considered a hero in the community. I thought they were crazy. Well after my own experiences and blatant unfairness with the Law enforcers… I began to understand why they feel that way even though one knows it is wrong. It is up to the officers to change their perception of their community. All the comments on how the officers lay their life on the line to save yours… or how we should feel obligated if they do their job is all marred when you see the majority abuse the law to make up their budget gap. You will not get any support from the African American community if you keep comparing this to racism, They would feel proud of the coffee shop owner for what he did.
Wow–Way to go Red and Black–at being complete and utter ignorant a$$holes…Good thing I’m not as narrow-minded as you and think all vegans are the same–as you clearly think of city of Portland cops. I’ll never support your business again.
This has nothing to do with politics or some guys feeling uncomfortable having a man with a gun in his business. I see this all the time.. The owner obviuosly has problems with authority figures and wanted to “flex” by asking the cop to leave.. Oooohh, how this must have fed his ego. All the sudden he’s a big man and thinks he can use the “we reserve the right to refuse service”, so he can tell all of his buddies (that he would call if someone tried to rob the place.. that if they came to handle the situation instead of an officer would have thier asses handed to them in a court of law) that he actually kicked a cop out of his store, just to humiliate the guy and be a jerk.. His business should be sued by the cop AND the city of portland for discrimination.. There’s nothing that says you can’t tell a guy you don’t like what he does (at least here in the sates), but bag the fat head ego.. And for the rest of you, go do a ride along with PDX.. They are free and educational, then you might have a leg to stand on when you FELX your opinions that will no longer be based on heresay..
Good for the owner to kick him out
http://www.cbsnews.com/2300-504083_162-10003479.html?tag=contentMain;contentBody
Perhaps public knowledge that the “Red and Black” cafe’ is NOT protected by the Portland Police Department going forward might change the co-owner’s attitude in the future? Let the anarchists protect themselves.
Rattled, does your opinion on the “right to ask anyone to leave private property” extend to race, religion and ethnicity? Your words betray your bigotry. Policing is probably the most thankless job out there. I wonder how many more homeless people and new immigrants (both legal and illegal) would be preyed upon if the criminal population knew there were no police around to arrest them?
There will come a time that Red and Black will need police assistance, and quite frankly after this incident, I sincerely hope PPD takes it time getting there…although I know they won’t. Red and Black is nothing but a PETA commie commune who have serve no purpose in life.
Unruh Civil Rights Act of 1959
•Requires equal access to the accommodations, advantages, facilities, privileges or services of all business establishments.
•Provides for the right to be free from discrimination in public accommodations regardless of sex, race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, sexual orientation or source of income.
•Courts have interpreted this act to prohibit any arbitrary discrimination regardless of whether or not that basis is specifically mentioned in the Act itself.
•Complaints can be directed to the Department of Fair Employment and Housing and must be filed within 1 year.
•As of January 1, 1993, any violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act is also a violation of the Unruh Civil Rights Act.
I am always amazed at the ignorance and stupidity of people. Our officers should be treated with the utmost respect.
I work at a storage facility on Halsey. We do not sell coffee. If any of our city’s officers come in, i would be happy to make a fresh pot – just for them.
This Officer is defiantly a professional… He handled it very well and I commend him for it. Coming from a Law Enforcement family (Including Portland and surrounding communities) I can honestly say that people need to experience first before opening their mouths on subjects they don’t know about… Sure, all jobs have a couple bad eggs in a dozen, but for the most part police are top notch…. I will not say I hope this cafe goes outta business, but I will honestly never visit it…. Thanks for writing this article and getting the coverage on an important subject….
I would hope that this incident will make the cafe owner reevaluate his stance on the police and the valuable service they provide every day. Does he really want to live in a society based on anarchy? Anarchy is lawlessness where anyone does anything they want to at anytime. I for one don’t want to live in a society like that and I don’t know many people who do. I find it amazing that the same people who cry the loudest about discrimination (as he seems to be doing regarding the “houseless” as he calls them) are in turn discriminating against someone solely based on the uniform that he’s wearing. Does the cafe owner know anything about this particular police officer? No, he doesn’t. He based his actions solely on the fact that he’s wearing a police uniform. That’s the pot calling the kettle black.
I for one appreciate the job that the police do day in and day out. A largely thankless job. A job that most of us would not have the strength, patience, or fortitude to do. They are truly unsung heroes.
I guess the Red & Black Cafe is an early contender for the 2010 hypocrite prize. Think they’ll be painting over their “safer space” pledge anytime soon?
The owner violated federal anti-discrimination law… The Unruh Civil RIghts Act… and he should be held accountable. Or is it only ok to violate federal civil rights laws when youre a leftist business “co-owner”??
Hooray for bigotry and prejudice! Red and Black, you are “the best.”
This cafe owner is a disgrace to America!! Hope he never, ever needs a police officer to respond to his cafe, home or maybe a accident that has happened to him or a family member. I worked as an EMT for 20 yrs and the first person to the scene at EVERYTHING is a police officer. Fire’s, car accident’s. fight’s..etc. They have a “tough skin” in public because they have to stay professional ALL THE TIME..or else someone complains about them Do you know how much verbal and mental abuse they take each and everyday they are on duty!!! My older son was a police officer for ten yrs. and believe me he was a human being at work, but had to not show emotions because he has a job to do and SOMEONE has to stay calm and get the situation under control. I live in a small town in Oregon and we show respect for all our police force even if we do not always agree with things they do.
I saw this story on CNN and followed a link in the article to your blog post. I’m truly saddened by what happened and not really surprised to hear that it happened either. I’m from out of state, yet totally get the shock and surprise that you felt when this happened in front of you. My b/f is a police officer and in our many conversations about what he does and why he does it, he explained something to me using an analogy of sheep, sheepdogs & wolves. I know it’s not very PC but if you think about it, it makes perfect sense. You have a flock of sheep who day to day do their thing, you have the wolves who like to prey upon the sheep and then you have the sheepdogs who protect the herd of sheep and kill the wolves if necessary. Now the sheep just want to do their thing and don’t really like the sheepdogs hanging around because it makes them nervous. But they tolerate them because those same sheepdogs will protect them from the wolves when they attack. It takes a special type of person to be a PO because they see/handle all the horribly bad things that none of us would want to deal with on a daily basis. I would recommend going on that ride along with the PO or maybe even go through a citizens academy if the PPD has one. My b/f has always told me that it’s 98% sheer boredom and 2% complete chaos.
Those that are uncomfortable around guns…it’s not the guns you should be worried about, it’s the people who carry them that you should be worried about. They are the ones who make that decision to kill someone.
Thanks for the article. Discrimination in any form is not ok. I hope this shop goes out of business. Karma’s coming red and black. Did the owner think he was going to suddenly drop his coffee and randomly shoot?
Of course a few cops are corrupt. When you have any large group of people in any situation some will be good and some will be bad. Not all Vegan coffee shop owners are prejudice idiots, so should we ban them all because one is?
Funny thing is that cop will still show up and help at his business if something bad should happen. BTW if he thinks he can count on the community to police it, there are many, many examples of people getting hurt in public, in front of a lot of people and not one helping.
Perhaps the cops will now recognize that shooting people in the back, using excessive force, and other heavy-handed abuse has consequences. Not everyone is willing to pull blinders over their eyes and romanticize the police. The cops profile people all the time. Now they are being profiled by some. Sadly, many people are afraid of the cops. Even sadder is that they have good reason to be afraid.
WOW, I know one place that won’t get my buisness, and I don’t carry a gun. So he don’t like people that protect his rights, what a hypocrit. His comment that he would call his friends if he got robbed, what a joke. Vigilanty justice? Whats all his friends gonna do? Nothing, their gonna tell him, hey, that robber has a gun, I’m not gonna get shot. So then he will sue the police for not protecting him…… The venom spewing out of his mouth is disgusting, what a hate monger, whats next? Lynchings? Persecution of Gays?
Take his money, then boot him out? Shame on you.
Post a no weapons sign at your door.
Thank you so much for posting this story and for giving me a little bit of hope for this city! I am a life long Portlander, born and raised, a liberal and a lover of the freedom that this city can help people express. However, all of this recent anti-police backlash has left me *extremely* disheartened at the ignorance and willingness of the (seeming) majority in this city to form opinions based on naive assumptions and incomplete information (from the media and otherwise). It is so refreshing to see someone not only take note of, but also call out and confront, this form of discrimination.
Thanks again! The police officers of this city who risk their lives and take time away from their families to protect the rest of us need more of you out there telling your story and speaking your mind.
Coming from someone that works in a police department, the general public has no idea what officers deal with day to day. Of course you all only hear about the negative aspects, because press releases don’t come from positive experiences…
And to Deb Muller, you’d be in an intimidation stance if you only responded to negative things. When’s the last time the police were called because a crime wasn’t being committed or something bad wasn’t happening? Never, that’s not why they’re there. How would you like to go to work everyday and deal with everyones problems, risking your life for someone elses safety…and just because it’s not on the 5 o’clock news doesn’t mean the police don’t save lives, it just means people gawk harder at tragedies, and ratings come from gawking.
Such harsh eyes coming from people who will be the first to call 911 when they’re in trouble…We’re always here for you…remember that.
Much respect to red and black.
Love the place. All yuppies stay in Gresham and beaverton.
Mr. Langley didn’t go far enough. He should have asked Ms. Seigneur and party to hit the road along with Officer Crooker. Mr. Langley sold the officer his coffee “to go” but then the cop decided to hang around having a “cops are so good and heroic” conversation with some naive sycophantic citizen. I’m glad that at least there are some people that support Mr. Langley’s right to ask ANYONE to depart private property. It doesn’t matter what his political views are. He exercised his right and we should all celebrate that we have those rights. I wouldn’t want an armed customer in my business either. Even if they’re a cop.
And why should Ms. Seigneur be disappointed? She wanted a memorable lunch and she got it.
Sure, there may be some potentially good cops in the PPD but the fact that they turn a blind eye to all the evil perpetrated by evil cops, makes them bad cops.
I may not be familiar with the Portland Police or area but it sounds a helluva like the city I reside in with its attitudes and beliefs towards the police — Detroit. For 3 years I’ve lived here and before that I lived in Flint, MI for my childhood. Two of the most violent cities in the U.S. Trust me this is all relevant. I’ve read SEVERAL comments here about how the poor, colored, and sick should be afraid of the police and its presence. Or for the fact of being intimidated by the police because they represent authority and can harass you or harm you. From the sounds of it these commentors are putting a white face with that uniform. There’s a lot of ignorance and bigotry on both sides here.
I support the police. Why? Because I am currently a Police Cadet with a freshly printed Bachelors degree in CJ. I just don’t understand why most of these commentors are saying, “oh you are white so you don’t understand what it’s like being harassed or bothered by the police or others.” I loled when I read that. Really? That’s all I grew up in, was racism FROM colored people. Are you telling me I should have never been afraid or intimidated by the group of black men standing on the corner at midnight wearing sweatshirts with their hoods on and baggy black jeans in 70 degree weather, all the while they stared me down? You are telling me I shouldn’t have felt uncomfortable leaving a place of business with loved ones while being continually harassed by a homeless person? You are full of it. Really you are.
This is almost like what came first the chicken or the egg? Do the Police only react to the negative attitude and mouth of minorities or do the Police provoke that kind of attitude? White people are put in the same circumstances as well but you hardly ever hear of the Diallo cases when the person was white, now do you? I’m just sick and tired of the poor me, feel sorry for me, the system is against me, and I have no way to move up in the world crap. The government gives out more scholarship money to minorities than whites. Being white, I wasn’t even elligable for the majority of scholarships that my University offered – which was in Detroit. It all starts with the individual and having a sour attitude and having a chip off your shoulder against people you call ignorant and racist won’t get you anywhere. Plus you would be one big hypocrite in my book.
But the reality of the situation is 95% of you who commented on this know absolutely nothing about the Criminal Justice system. You really are going to blame the Police for everything? No, sorry it doesn’t work that way. Police Officers are only the gatekeepers to the Justice system. All they can do is work within the confines of the Constitution and Bill of Rights. It’s the Judicial system that does the real work. Police Officers don’t deny you your rights. The people you voted for do. The Judge you voted into office, the prosecutor you voted into office, your city council people you voted into office, etc. all have some stake in whether or not you are guilty or innocent. Oh don’t forget that your peers have a stake in your freedom as well. But you most likely wouldn’t have to ever meet any of the people who work in those professions if you kept your hands clean. So, in the BEGINNING it starts with your mess-up and it ends with the judges final disposition. Not the Officers.
Wow. I’m from the East coast, so perhaps I have a different opinion. I believe what the owner did was discriminatory. Just because you do not have a high opinion of the police department in general does not allow the owner of an establishment that is open to the public to bar a certain person based on his on her profession. If we allowed that, lawyers would be banned practically everywhere!
You know what they call it when one community rallies in defense from another one?
A gang war. ‘Self policing’ very easily can wind up a vicious cycle of “I brought a knife,” “I brought a gun,” “I brought a bigger gun,” “I brought a semiauto” and so on, and enforcing law can’t happen if there aren’t people specifically chosen to do so.
Guess what? If you have a certain person or group of people you call on to solve disputes, you’ve got a government, even if it’s not “official.” Anarchism is an idealistic dream based on the assumption that everyone would get along if they were allowed to set their own rules. Unfortunately, that’s not reality, and people really need to get over it.
Wow, all the name calling. It is amazing to me that the same individuals that are calling others derogatory names, are the ones asking for peace and equality. That’s a great start! Sounds really hypocritical to me. Maybe the authors of these nasty little comments, should start by realizing all people are unique. It doesn’t matter if you have a uniform and badge, or a cliche of peers at the Red and Black. It is the same as if I were to assume that by supporting the Red and Black Cafe, these indiviuals are involved in criminal activity. To assume all Law Enforcement Officers think or behave the same, is ignorance at it’s very best. How is this unlike racial profiling, which is also ignorant. Another ignorant comment! If a Law Enforcement Officer is rude to a member of the public, it is understandable that citizen would not respect that officer. Do unto others, as you would have done unto you! But to generalize a whole group of people based on the actions of a few is irrational. It is steroptypical, and doesn’t that support bias’ based on race, gender, and religion? And furthemore, intelligence is not confined to the inner cities as the author of one post would have you believe.
I get the motivation behind asking the police officer to leave, but I think it was misguided. Trust and acceptance are a two way street. If we are not willing to give it, we’ll be less likely to receive it. Doesn’t the community repeatedly ask that the Portland police respond based on a person’s actions and not based on who the person is or what they look like? I think if the officer were intimidating customers or acting in a way that was inappropriate, you ask him to leave, just as you would do with any disruptive customer. However, I think it is unfair to say just because he was wearing his uniform that that created an intimidating environment. Just as it is unfair to say to anyone that, wearing a bandana, or piercing, or tattoos, or because of the color of their skin their reasonable actions appear more menacing.
There are many establishments in town that would refuse service to homeless people just because it is their perception that the disheveled clothes of the homeless person creates and uncomfortable environment for their other customers. To that I say tough. And don’t get me started on all the places in town that post signs which read “bathrooms for customers only!”
When you put yourself out there in the community as a place where a person can come for sustenance and comfort then you have to take the community as they come. I’ve been at Red And Black Cafe when some strange people have walked through the door, sometimes only to murmur to themselves, walk back out, come back in, walk back out, … and I have always been impressed with the way the cafe functions given the variety of people who come through the door. I think the same level of patience and courtesy should have been exhibited in this situation.
Perhaps the Police Officer should not have pushed the owners political buttons by making appearance at this particular business establishment and a attempting to patronize it. I’m pleased to hear that he left quietly.
HOW STUPID ARE YOU??? He stoped in for coffee said NOTHING to them only to some one that spoke to him first!! HOW IS THAT PUSHING BUTTONS?? This is whats wrong with Portland lately. I have lived in Portland and in the out skrits for 48 yrs, the only ones that should be afraid are those doing something wrong!
As sad as it is, it doesn’t suprise me that there is so much anti-police officer mentality here. As some have said, the general public has no clue what everyday police work encompasses. Between being griped at, spit at, threatened, attacked, sued if you even happed to look at someone who is in custody sideways, what’s not to love about the profession. For those who are mentally challenged. That was sarcasm. Until you have worn the badge, your opinion is just that, yours. Most every department has a ride-a-long program, and most also have a Citizen’s Police Academy. Want to get an informed opinion, look into them. What most people know about law enforcement is from the 30 second piece on the news or on the web. You only hear the negative on the news because thats what gets ratings and viewers. You don’t hear about the 10 officers who raid a drug lab. The teams that go collect the sex offenders who don’t register who moved in a block from your home and children. As in any field, there are jerks who grab at all the can, whether it be a cop or a secretary. Worry about your lives and leave others to theirs. And for those who think that cafe owner was within his rights to ask someone to leave, to an extent they do for the most part, unless it is targeting a specific group, demographic, and yes, a profession. Personally speaking that officer should sue the daylights out of the cafe, but it seems like he has taken the moral highground and just let it go and let the story take customers away from that cafe and for that Officer, and for lady and her family. I salute you.
Thanks for the excellent article. What makes me sad is that I love Portland and had no idea there were these feelings by some. So, if he had trouble, he would call his compatriots and not the authorities. That makes me very uncomfortable.
I’m amzed at this! So if he gets robbed who is he gonna call? And E F Why is it always the police and not the stupid person who dosent listen and tries to drive off or out run them, why arent they held responsible for their action?? May be you should go to work with them for a month or so and see how hard their jobs are, and dealing with scum of the world all day!!! Jessie Jackson stay Home!!
Sounded to me as if this writer was flirting w/the cop initially. Her cutesy comment as an ice breaker revealed her gut reaction to a uniformed cop: fear and dread since she thought he was coming to issue a ticket or address a similar violation.
I understand that the R&B Cafe is a unique business or location when it comes to the patrons political views, I do not patronize businesses that I’m not familiar with. I understand the reason that the owner ask the police officer to leave, but do not agree with it, but I do not agree with their political views either.
Perhaps the Police Officer should not have pushed the owners political buttons by making appearance at this particular business establishment and a attempting to patronize it. I’m pleased to hear that he left quietly.
I’m glad that Koin Local 6 has covered the story so well. And I’m pleased to see the solid response of disapproval. Keep it up, thanks
Being around people carrying guns is not a good feeling for me, that someone is a police officer (authority) does not make me feel safe. I have watched police officers get into their intimidation stances, and believe this moves against a peaceful environment. How often those in authority misuse that authority, as we see over and over again.
My daughter has been very interested in Vegan food, although she is not Vegan and had wanted to try this place.. When I showed her this article, she immediately printed it out and said she is going to make sure everyone knows what kind of people these are… She is only 15 and said if they can’t respect the police, they can’t respect anyone and they don’t deserve to be in business…
For some people who live in certain neighborhoods the police may be a force of safety and protection. For some of us however, the police are a force of brutatlity and oppression. They perpetuate racism and classism. So yes, it is ok to say that you don’t want an person who works for an racist, classist institution in your establishment while he is on duty. I would much rather go to a restaurant that refuses to serve police because they are armed, than a place that refuses to serve folks because they are homeless.
You all are so dumb and ignorant. A police officer wants a drink of coffee. You wait until after he is paid and is almost outside to say “you arent welcome here” WTF is that about. Portlander’s need to be shot with that type of attitude. Speaking of that the people being shot are attempting to murder these officers who try there hardest everyday to help and protect. When there lives are in danger they are to protect themselves.
To all you story skimmers!! If you’d actually read either story, you’d know the R&B Cafe worker DIDN’T refuse service to the officer. Had he done that and not taken the man’s money before kicking him out of the place, I might have a little more respect for you.
Wow, I have never made a comment on any of these but, I am so appalled that this restaurant thinks it is okay to be so discriminatory against another group of people. So much for being open minded and accepting of others. Of course there are some terrible cops but there are certainly some wonderful ones too – the bottom line is that they are human beings and deserve to be treated fairly. I will never to to the Red and Black cafe again. That is horrible and mean.
In the early years of the twentieth century, my great-grandmother immigrated to this country as a young woman and, aside from a short time in the lumber camps, she lived the rest of her life in Portland. Twice that I know of, she was robbed on her front porch and knocked down by young thugs who thought nothing of preying on a tiny elderly woman. More than once as a child, I saw thieves breaking into houses while we were driving past. As an adult, I’m under no illusions that matters have improved.
Though I no longer live in Oregon (lived in the South for over twenty years now), and therefore do not know all the troubles concerning the Portland police, I cannot help but wonder what the citizens who are so angry toward the police would do if their presence were removed completely. No police presence of any kind = chaos and anarchy. But since the folks at that cafe ascribe to anarchist views, perhaps they would stand on the roof and celebrate while Portland burned.
Funny, isn’t it, how the people who foment unrest seem to think themselves immune from any undesirable results? What’s to stop all the anarchists from turning on one another? And the co-owner who said he’d call on the members of his community to help in case he was robbed — what wishful and naive thinking. But robbery is a form of anarchy, is it not? It crosses — nay, smashes — boundaries and rules, and recognizes no ownership. It takes what it wants, whatever it can get. Therefore, should not the cafe owners embrace the thief as a brother?
I’ve met a few jerks in uniform, but they’d be jerks out of it, too. The uniform was not who they were.
As an eleven-year-old whose life was threatened by some crazy family members, I was saved by a cop. He was calm, in control, and he didn’t let their insanity rule the situation. He removed my brother and I, drove us to the police station, and we were looked after by a variety of cops who came and went in the dark hours of morning. I never knew that first officer’s name, but almost thirty years later, I still am grateful for his bravery in stepping in to a volatile situation and saving a couple of kids who couldn’t save themselves.
And I’d darn sure buy him a cup of coffee.
Kudos to the Red & Black for doing the right thing and getting the cop out of their cafe. The cops in Portland are out of control, and having them in a place of business is likely to be stressful to both the customers and the staff. I wish more businesses would stop being intimidated by these people. And by the way, the R&B has a right to ask anyone to leave. I will make it a point to visit their establishment more often!
I thought it was called the Red and Black because they really loved the University of Georgia. Or maybe the Blue Oyster Cult.
I applaud Becka’s comments and her fierce loyality to her husband, and though I don’t live in Portland (toooo many people) I thank her husband for the job he does. As someone who has had similiar attitudes from bigoted people I empathize with what he has to go through everyday. It’s unfortunate that the owner of that cafe is so narrow-minded, but yet he was willing to take money first before he asked the Officer to leave. There are good and bad people in every area of business, from cafe owners to military to police. It’s also a shame that those who enforce the laws to allow him the FREEDOM of that narrowmindness toward a uniform no less, since it’s obvious he doesn’t know the officer personally, are allowed May he and his ilk have a very long and dry summer, fall, winter and then spring. By saying he would call his “friends” if there was ever any trouble makes me believe that he believe’s in “vigilante justice” & like those other activists who cause more heartbreak and pain for innocent people. I will be sure that all my friends know about this articleregarding The Red &Black Cafe, knowing them, they waste money there or even get close. I hope he likes all the attention he got. unfortunately it may just be great for his business. What has his partner said? Anything?
I can’t say I disagree with the co-owner, not completely. He is catering to his customer base, as he should. Cops have the reputation they do because they allow the ‘bad apples’ in their ranks to continue. I think most cops are honorable people who sacrifice more than most are aware, but how do you know which ones are the ‘bad apples’? Best to err on the side of caution, and ironic as it is, safety.
I am amused at all the responses from those supporting the shop owner and his prejudice. Does the shop understand how pathetic they appear by proclaiming “We strive to eliminate any oppressive actions, behaviors, and language in this space. These include, but are not limited to, racism, sexism, ageism, sizeism, classism, ableism, transphobia and heterosexism. We want this to be a comfortable space for everyone. Please feel free to approach a collective member in confidence should anyone here make you feel unsafe.”
Apparently they are not true to their beliefs..
Oh yes, and I’m curious why a worker owned and managed shop would also be a closed union shop ?
How does that work when they want to “stick it to the Man” and they come to the realization that THEY, are the Man…
Please forgive my typing and spelling as I’m so upset by the way this officer was treated I can hardly see straight right now! First of all I want to say to the officer “I’m sorry for the way you were treated” but more importantly how you handled yourself, you handled it with class and dignity! I also am so sorry that the writer of this blog and his daughter had to have what was suppose to be a good memory turn into this..
When the owner of this cafe was asked if he was introuble, would he call the police? He said “no, that he would call his friends in the community” Oh really? So, calling in his “friends” is the solution? Are his friends going to go out to the whole community when they are in need of help and if so how are they going to solve each situation? Give me a brake!!! This cafe owner talks of not feeling safe? Well, I don’t feel safe knowing that him and “his community” will take the law into their own hands..He is someone who “thinks” he talks a good game but is very ignorant..Who does he think gave him his freedom of speech? If he doesn’t like the police then my suggestion to him is to go live in another country and try running a cafe and then pulling the same thing, let’s see what he thinks about that..Yes, everyone has and is intitled to their opinion but unless someone has walked in someone’s shoes, you really need to get a grip..Do a ride along for a day with an officer, let’s see how bad they are then..This story absolutely makes me sick but gives me that much more pride in our Police men and women..Thank you for dedicating your lives each day to keeping us safe..If you ever want a warm welcome and a smile please come to the food carts on 102nd and Stark!! We support our men and women in the Portland Police Dept!! God bless and keep you all safe!!!!
In Solidarity says “I know it doesn’t take much to make an officer cross the line”. I suspect that line that is being referred to is the line of his or her own creation. The line constructed in the mind of those who feel their rights are above law and order.
Unfortunately, the cop has chosen to align himself with a criminal gang that enforces innumerable laws that harm innocent people. While there are some good cops, the majority take a “just following orders” approach to their job. Federal courts on multiple occasions have stated that police have no obligation to protect individuals. Their allegiance is to the State and protecting politicians. Every day police are conducting business that harms people. Some will say “who will you call when your coffee shop is robbed?”. This is a logical fallacy. The police operate under a coercive monopoly that eliminates one’s ability to seek alternative forms of protection and justice.
Every business owner has the right to refuse service to anyone. If you don’t like it, then don’t go there. Nobody has a “right” to a cup of coffee. To say that they do is to say that the provider of said cup has an obligation for which they may be forced to provide it. That’s ludicrous.
I sit here with my mouth on the ground! The fact that this cafe worker would have the gall to ask a police officer to leave is beyond me, but even worse – SO many of you actually agree with it and stand behind this despicable behavior! I sure as hell hope that each and every one of you don’t exercise your right to dial 911 and ask for help, should you ever need it – YOU DO NOT DESERVE IT!!! Disgraceful – absolutely disgraceful.
To all our service personel – THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! You risk your lives every single day to help us – all of us – even those who would turn their backs on you. And you do it w/out question! So Thank you! (it can not be said enough)
Actually CE, it is NOT his right. I own a cafe a little ways from that one and can tell you that as a business owner, that owner IS subject to discrimination laws the same as anyone else. He does not have to like police officers but his behaviour is one small step removed from the deeper issue of discriminatory civil rights. He practices a very select compassion. As do you apparently. I have had to call the police a dozen or so times over the years I have been doing business in SE PDX and never have they acted with anything but proper action to deal with intoxicated, violent or strung out people threatening my customers or their own safety. The problems are so much larger than you seem to realize. Offer a solution if you have one but don’t elevate the ignorant actions of one obtuse and myopic person to some mythic proportions. Wrong is wrong. Period. I appreciate the action of Ms. Seigneur to call this as she sees it.since she was actually there.
Being vegan myself, Ive patronized the Red and Black Cafe numerous times. I wont be able to any longer due to my unwillingness to support hypocrisy. It makes absolutely no sense to be someone who speaks out against discrimination while actively committing discrimination. Makes about as much sense as serving the police officer and taking his money, THEN getting all “revolutionary” and kicking him out. I dont agree with what the co-owner did at all, but could have tried to respect where he was coming from better if he didnt make a fool of himself by ‘fighting the man’ only after they served the officer. It was rather pathetic,sad, and freaking hilarious all at the same time.. Way to go, Red and Black. Viva la Faux-volution
“The police exist to enforce the will of the powerful; anyone who has not had a bad experience with them is likely either privileged or submissive. ” So true, so true.
The Red & Black is a haven for the poor and homeless, immigrants, laborers, and activists. The owners frequently let people stay for hours to use the free computers, socialize, organize, or just stay out of the rain and cold.
If you want to complain about discrimination, complain about the other 99.9% of businesses, who kick out anyone who appears to be homeless / transient or cannot afford a cup of coffee.
Ms. Seigneur, everything about you is suburban and prejudiced. All I have to see is you overprocessed hair and tanning booth tan. Since your looks fit right in with a police officer’s wife, I doubt you were ever discriminated by them. Sadly you know nothing of the real world and what it’s like to be a minority. The cop says he was humiliated. I’m sure he was. But I am just as certain he has humiliated minorities without a second thought to how his actions madw them feel. Congratulations on getting yourself a date, though. And fifteen minutes of fame.
Interesting that the Portland officer’s money was good enough to buy their coffee but not good enough to allow him to remain for a short time to talk with another customer that was happy to have the conversation with him. Free country means they have the option of serving anyone they choose to or choose not to. The officer exists to make sure you and are are free to do so. Maybe they should have asked him to leave before taking his money. Call on him next time you need help and he will be there to help even though you may be upset next/last time someone else calls him because of your actions…
CE: “Ms. Seigneur should mind her own business”. Since the officer was talking to her, I’d say that makes it her business.
Intolerance is intolerance, no matter what the rationalization.
Just reading this makes me wish I lived in Portland. I would go to the Red and Black and show them how a REAL anarchist acts, instead of the white middle class poseurs with their pathetic white people dreads, pretending to “stick it to the man” that is obviously their clientele.
The best part? They would have to call the police.
That’s the best comment on this whole thread. For Christ’s sake, the LAST place a real “radical” would live would be Portland, Oregon — a cushy suburb with a few tall buildings.
I looked at their website. Coffee for $12 per lb. Face it, kids – you’re Martha Stewart, not Angela Davis.
I can’t believe they actually took the cop’s money at Red & Black Cafe and THEN told him to leave. II’ll never eat at their establishment and I’ll tell all my friends what happened, too.
I wish I could say I am surprised that “progressive Portland” people would contribute their energies on behalf of a establishment who clearly showed prejudice toward someone based on his affiliation rather than his personal actions. This is no better than the biggots of our past, or the the people these types say they despise.
Yet, I cannot say I am at all surprised, as their speeches of tolerance are only for those who go with their party line and are not tolerance in real living at all. If you own anything of value, live anywhere nice, make above minimum wage (even if you’ve worked your butt off to get it), hold any Judeo-Christian values, support our troops, show respect for any officers of the peace, their so-called tolerance ends and they are truly just as ignorant, and worse, than the people they decry. Portland, my beautiful city from birth, despite it’s claims to be “tolerant” and “progressive” is now one of the most judgmental places I know of.
That is quite sad. He sounds like a regular fellow and probably really loves his job and respects people. He fought for this country for crying out loud. I won’t be going to this place. Sorry, if you don’t want his business, you don’t deserve mine. For every 100 cops there is, maybe, one who is shady. I don’t think this was your shady cop. Sad.
Thank you so much for sharing your story and for being so kind to the officer. I was saddened to hear the story on the news as I am the sister of several members of various branches of law enforcement. I do not have any desire to go to The Red and Black Cafe anytime soon. Palio is a great place. Very warm and inviting. I will make a point to visit there again soon. Thank you for your boldness in using your writing to highlight this act of discrimination and remind us there are lots of good guys out there.
as a Mexican woman, I have faced my share of bigotry, racism, intolerance and the like. Some of this has come in the form of a uniformed officer, some from places that you would never expect (working at Disneyland, of all places!). I do not vote republican, nor do I vote democrat, I do not have faith in a system where someone can be a violent rapist and be released in 6 months and yet people like Mumia Abu Jamal can be on death row for many years. That being said, it is disappointing that people who wax poetic about intolerance by the police can thrust that same intolerance upon the very people they claim are intolerant toward them.
My mother is a police officer (of 27 years) for LAPD, one of the most infamous departments in America. I have my political views, she has hers to be sure; however I would not and have not ever disrespected a police officer in that way. I wouldn’t want my mother to be treated like that and even though I disagree with many of her views and the views of her friends and husband I still would not treat any officer that way. They have to go against their own instincts and run TOWARD danger. I cannot tell you how many times as I was growing up that I listened to her crying in her room because she helped a woman who was beaten within an inch of her life by her gangster boyfriend, or because a group of rich kids decided to drug a teenaged girl and violently rape her repeatedly and she wished that there was more that she could do. It is a VERY difficult profession, and thankless to boot. I can’t tell you how scary it was during the LA riots as a 7 year old little girl watching the news knowing that my mom couldn’t come home because she was on tactical alert, waiting by the phone for her to call every night just to know that she was okay.
On the flip side, I do know that there are officers out there who abuse their authority, one of whom is my father, retired LAPD. He is a scumbag, a man who left his wife and 4 year old daughter for a 17 year old girl whom he met on a routine police call. A man who abuses his badge to get freebies from local businesses and has general disdain for the public that pays his wages and pension. It is not the badge that makes the person, it is the person that makes the badge. Just as the outward appearance of someone does not designate them to be a criminal, burnout, or whatever other stereotype you can come up with, a person who chooses to wear a uniform does not make them a bully or a bad person. People should be judged by the content of their character not the color of their skin, choice of clothing, choice of profession, to paraphrase MLK jr.
Police work is ugly, and dirty, and unforgiving. It is having to deal with people spitting at you, shooting at you, cursing at you, threatening your family, following you home and trying to threaten your children. It is no wonder why many officers lose their focus and become bitter.
Ultimate peace can be achieved by love. We must lead by example if we are to ever show others the way.
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. 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)a Portland 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!! The officer took those to the children who would’ve gone without any Christmas presents.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.
Just reading this makes me wish I lived in Portland. I would go to the Red and Black and show them how a REAL anarchist acts, instead of the white middle class poseurs with their pathetic white people dreads, pretending to “stick it to the man” that is obviously their clientele.
The best part? They would have to call the police.
What is this world coming too, I hope if they call the police for a radically violent person or vegan that it takes the peace officers 3 hours to respond to the call…what a sad society!!!!
The simple truth of this sad situation is that there is a counter culture in Portland that is endorsed and encoureged to be confrontational with Police.
Bless you sweet Lady for being The One to write about this incident.
I have Never been this Disgusted with The Portland Fringe until I read this article and Koin 6’s.
This is just what happened in Nazi Germany, and the Public there turned a blind eye to this same type of Fringe Sponsored action.
The Portland Police work under continued intense scrutiny and yet-THEY KEEP WORKING IN PORTLAND- Take that Mr Langley.
Keep writing the Truth, it is all that stands between us and them.
Respect.
Deacon.
I really do not think that the folks at the Red and Black are worried about losing any business over this. It is an ANARCHIST worker-owned cafe and a known meeting place for many of the radical organizers in Portland… and why would a police officer, in uniform, patronize it? It makes me question the police officers motivation… maybe curiosity, but maybe a show of power. I think that your article is a bit laughable due to your reaction. You have obviously never been in a negative situation with a police officer, but the large number of those who have can say that every time they see an officer in uniform it is threatening. I have never physically harmed a police officer, but I know it doesn’t take much to have an officer cross the line. So I am in full support of the co-owner asking the officer to leave — it was a bold and brave action. But again… why would a uniformed officer go to the Red and Black? It makes you wonder…
I am so glad you wrote about this – and that the Oregonian covered it (which is how I ended up reading your original blog post). What a truly disheartening and disappointing experience – I think a follow-up Op-Ed is a great idea, to echo other comments.
I wish the comment by Diba – when officers were comped a cup of coffee as a silent thank you still rang true.
I think this is awesome! They have the right to refuse service
to anyone. Including prick cops!
I’m not sure I agree that he should have been asked to leave, but as a white, heterosexual woman in the suburbs whose values are firmly entrenched within the system that sets you up as a the norm from which we all deviate, I’m not surprised you don’t see the many other situations in which discrimination occurs.
Many of us who look a certain way are considered less than by the police. It is no secret at all that the police generally will treat white, educated, housed, heterosexual, normative looking people with the “respect” they have come to expect. Many of us do not have that privilege. Sexual and gender minorities, racial and ethnic minorities, political activists, anarchists, punks, the homeless, drug addicts, the poor, the previously incarcerated all have reason to fear the violence that the police shows them frequently. A number of people have been killed by the police in Portland in recent years, and many more harassed unduly, their bias incident reports lost, have witnessed police officers rolling their eyes at them when they try and report a hate crime,
RIP james chasse, a mentally ill man, killed in police custody…broken bones everywhere, tasered, beaten to death with no hospital care.
Can you see that even your ability to think “maybe i’ll just say hi to this police officer” comes from the position that you will not be harmed or ridiculed or endangered because of the way you look?
Do you see how your comfortable life rests on the fact that you “fit in”?
The kind of binary reactionism that determines you cannot critique the police, ask them to leave without being anti-police or an “idiot” (as many of the comments here insinuate) reinforces the idea that the police have power because they deserve it.
are you too stupid to have more than one thought at this at once?
it is possible to be grateful for the police and yet at the same time critical of the power they wield in our society and how they wield it.
Who gave them that power?
Who decided that we would be better off living in a society where laws are made by rich white men and upheld by the police?
It’s ludicrous to claim the Red & Black’s business would drop off after this incident. They cater to the radical activist community — if they did anything less than 86 the cop they’d loose their entire clientele. Personally I’m a little horrified they let him even enter the door.
Government is organized crime, grounded in systematic and exploitative coercion, and the police are its street-level thugs. See http://invisiblemolotov.wordpress.com/2008/06/05/dealing-with-crime-in-a-free-society/ for an introduction to the alternative mechanisms of justice and defense championed by anarchists.
Okay you kooky, white bread, suburbanites… Portland Police Department has allowed SOME of its officers to get away with abuse of power and excessive use of force, which has resulted in murder of innocent people (mostly minorities). This means that the “GOOD” cops can’t be trusted because we don’t know which ones they are. And if they are bad ones (a very small minority), we can’t trust that, if they abuse their power, they will be punished for it. PPD has shown the community time and time again that paid vacation is enough disciplinary action for an officer who shoots dead an innocent person. THAT is why the officer would and SHOULD be asked to leave a WELL-KNOWN radical space full of minorities (whether ethnic, racial, social, political, etc). Whether the officer meant to or not (and I will give him the benefit of the doubt and say he didn’t mean to), he was intimidating the people at this cafe. The owner asking him to leave did so in a polite and quiet manner. Nothing wrong with that. If he went in there off-duty, OUT of uniform, and UNarmed, but still got asked to leave? That would be discrimination. But in uniform? It is to be expected in Portland and not for unfounded reasons.
Just wait until you have a “professional” encounter with the police, then you’ll understand.
I’m all for the stance that the Red and Black worker took. I think this whole thing is blown out of proportion and reeks of opportunism on the part of the author and her antagonistic corporate media pals.
The police represent different things to different communities. If you grew up middle-class or better, or were part of any socially privileged class, then the police you saw weren’t openly hostile to you. If you grew up poor, or part of society that is not privileged, police often serve as a predatory group stopping you and questioning you for who they perceive that you are and what you are most likely doing–the assumption of course being that, while being homeless, black, Latino, or queer, that you must be engaged in illegal activity. The police have always served to protect the rights, privileges, property and comfort of the wealthy and their misguided defenders and aspirants, the middle-class. They get to exact disproportionate violence on whomever they choose, sometimes with lethal consequences. I have been arrested and verbally antagonized by the police, for Constitutionally-protected activities and protest. I know people who have been severely beaten by police. If your reaction is “they probably deserved it,” then you are harboring deep, entrenched societal assumptions, as we all are–but your assumptions, sadly, are normative for our society.
There are people working on viable alternatives to our current social organization. Anarchism, as a political ideology, states that capitalism and the state are barriers to true human freedom. Anarchists actively work to challenge and overthrow these regimes and build viable alternatives based on community trust and equality in decision-making. The worker who asked the officer to leave did so based on a policy that the worker/owners of the cafe collectively agreed to, to serve and protect their clientele.
The Red and Black is an explicitly anarchist community space. They have a “safer spaces” policy posted in their front window. When anyone feels threatened by the presence of another, be that someone who has perpetrated a sexual assault, or is a member a white supremacist organization, or the police, that person will be asked to leave. They are by no means oppressive or discriminatory. That’s the point of asking those who actively oppress and victimize others to leave their business. Being privately-held property (ironically), this is their right. To refuse service to anyone, as long as it doesn’t violate the law.
We can have a better society that is not based on distrust and an armed military force roaming our communities, enforcing the status quo. We can take care of ourselves, no law enforcement necessary.
This was a principled stance by someone who stood up to our police force, which has been killing folks like crazy, this year. I stand by it. I will be buying hella cupcakes and pints because of this. As an anarchist and a community member, I’d be pissed if the guy had remained there.
Oh. And they did serve him. To go. And a cop can get a cup of coffee literally anywhere else in the city. They often do.
Lucky for him he has his cafe located in a predominantly white, middle+ class area near government buildings. I wonder how well he’d do in NoPo. Try moving to L.A. and tell me you don’t need the police. Woo! Go ingnorance! Yeah!
Good for you for finding another place that respects people without flailing about as a self-proclaimed victim. These kids need to grow up.
One thing to keep in mind is you don’t understand the other side of the story and where the café co-owner was coming from. Regardless of how you think he handled the situation, people who frequent the café have been harassed by cops. No one is saying that particular office is guilty of any of that, but when your primary clientele have a history of being harassed by police officers for simply being activists or homeless, or not a part of a suburb community, then your perspective changes. In consider myself an asset to the community but due to my activism in the past I have been harassed by officers and have even been clubbed in the face during Seattle’s WTO protests. I know there are good police officers in the world, but I also feel uncomfortable around them due to my experiences. I hope people can take a moment to try and understand the other side rather than to spread more hate like I have been seeing on forums.
The Red and Black is a very popular cafe, precisely because of the politics which leads it to ask a cop to leave. The politics of the R&B understand which race and class positions the police serve, and recognizes that it’s not those of the majority of its patrons. The cop who came in to the cafe knew this, unless he’s a complete idiot, which in the case of the average cop, can’t be ruled out. The vast majority of those who patronize the R&B support the cafe in this action, and more people will come in to support it after word of this all gets out.
Most of the people who have posted opinions here don’t really have a clue what it’s like to be an oppressed minority, and have no real world understanding of what the police do on a daily basis. It’s a naive world view which would consider a force of so much violence and death to be an honorable thing.
The Black Panther Party called them pigs to reveal their true role of upholding racial and class divisions in society. They are the front lines of oppression, as anyone who’s ever seen them in action at a Portland protest can tell you.
Otis, shot 23 times by Portland Police, was pulled over because the cop thought he didn’t belong in that expensive of a car and because “he looked liked a gangster.” What you think of these rationales tells you all you need to know about your understanding of race and the role of police in society.
Good going for the Red and Black. Business will improve and people I know and talk to in the neighborhood support this action.
You know what Guys, it does not matter what you feel personally about Police, you think portland police are bad…come on people have you ever spent time in New York or New Jersey or hell even in a 3rd world country. Just because a few police get bad publicity does not deminish the fact that they protect us andput their life on the line every day even for the people who dont want them to. I think the Cafe was wrong and My first thought is what are they doing illegal. I think everyone is entitled to their opinion but asking a police officer to leave your business is just wrong. and what they may not realize is if they just call their friends for a robbery then they will find their selfs in a lot of legal trouble if anyone gets hurt
CE: “Ms. Seigneur should mind her own business” Errrr, wasn’t the fact that she was one having the conversation that was interrupted part of what made it “her business”?
Intolerance is intolerance, no matter what the convenient rationalization.
The ignorance here is mind blowing
I’m not a police officer (yet) I’m merely a criminal justice major at a community college. I’m trying to become a police officer because I see the rampant criminal activity in what used to be a nice, quiet neighborhood on a day-to-day basis. The place that I grew up in, where as a young teen I could ride my bike at 10 o’clock at night safely, has desintegrated into gang violence and drug houses. I think that it’s my responsibility, as a member of that community, to do something about it. I’m not becoming a police officer as part of a power trip, or because I’m a violent man, or because I’m a racist bigot (as the argument has been made by several other commentors) I’m doing out of a sense of public duty and my own oath as an Eagle Scout to help other people at all times.
This owner, while entitled to his own opinion, has shown massive disrespect. Was the officer hassleing people? Did he hassle the staff? Did he act intimidating in any way? No. He engaged in pleasant conversation with another patron, just as any other customer may do on any given day. Only AFTER taking the officer’s hard-earned money did the co-owner ask him to leave. So, in effect, he slapped the officer in the face twice. Did the officer react in a manner unbecomming of a police officer? Did he react violently? Did he make any sort of derrogatory or inflamitory statement? No, he left with no incident, as both the news and Ms. Seigneur posted. He is a perfect example of how an officer should react to the public, no matter what their actions or statements. With courtesy, respect, and professionalism. This officer is now my new role model for how to act when someone thinks lowly of you simply because you have a drive to serve the public good.
And, Ms. Seigneur, I TRULY suggest you take the officer up on his offer of the ride-along. I have participated in dozens of them myself. Some are boring, some are funny, some are exciting, and some are truly frightening. But those ride-alongs have shown me EXACTLY what I’m getting myself into, and have opened my eyes to what officers do every day. Please, for your own education and life experience, go with him. You never know what you might see and learn.
it’s a worker owned anarchist coffee shop, thus the name red & black. obviously they don’t like cops. the cop should have known they were going to be upset with him going in there in the first place, it’s pretty clear that the owners and patrons are radical with their politics. and this little suburban mom blog isn’t going to prevent people from going there; like the owners, the folks that frequent the red & black don’t like the police. if anything it’ll boost their credibility with the punks. just saying.
I applaud the co-owner of the Red & Black for asking the officer to leave the cafe. There are plenty of coffee shops in Portland, and it’s nice to know that there is a place where the owners are aware of traumatic experiences their customers may have had with police. For example, the Red & Black is one of few cafes that is welcoming to homeless folks who need a hot cup of joe. I’d be surprised if you could say the same of the upscale cafes that you praise for “treating everyone equally”. This article just drips of white privilege and classism – really sickening!
I’m pretty sure the Red & Black isn’t worried about losing the business of the people who are praising police here. Honestly, there are a lot of people in Portland who will go there because the owners have the guts to ask officers to move along. I’m going to go there today to eat – just to show my support, and have some yummy food!
I don’t condone discrimination and I’ll never visit that place.
Perhaps Mme. Seigneur should realize that this cafe was run by anarchists who traditionally have very little sympathy for the police. It’s not unreasonable for an anarchist to politely ask a police officer to leave the store. For crying out loud, the cafe’s called the RED and BLACk. Look at the anarchist flag and check which colours are used.
I wouldn’t have served a uniformed cop either. While individual police officers can be very nice people, the police as an institution are racist, classist, and serve mainly to protect the property and interests of the rich. Having “nothing to hide” has never been protection against police harassment or violence. Ask Amadou Diallo, Oscar Grant or Aaron Campbell. By addressing issues of economic inequality and exploitation, something the Red and Black Cafe, the IWW, and radicals everywhere are working to do, we can eliminate the cause of most “crime” in our world. The little violence that remained would be nothing compared to the current level of violence carried out by police against poor people, people of color, and radicals like those who frequent the Red and Black. A world without police is possible. I hope we all live to see the day when we don’t allow the existence of a group that’s legally entitled to harass, brutalize, and murder us at will. That day will come.
Take off the uniform and come get coffee as a member of the community and not as an armed thug. I’m sure you’ll get a much better reception.
Thank you for bringing the situation to the public attention. We need to support the police and what they do for our community. I first found out about the situation on Yelp.com ( http://www.yelp.com/biz/red-and-black-cafe-portland) then on KOIN Local 6 Website ( http://tinyurl.com/2966c7e ). Needless to say, Red and Black Cafe business maybe slowing because of their treatment of a paying customer. I agree with that discrimination must be fought and the police supported. Once again, thank you for sharing and you did a wonderful job.
a congregation of sycophants, and capitalists, gagging on the ‘boys in blue’ cock.
I APPLAUD and THANK the RED AND BLACK CAFE, Eli and others who have clearly stood up to the ASSUMPTION all police must by their very nature be heavenly beings. Let’s be clear, the PIGS are an OCCUPATION FORCE plain and simple. I am sure they are nice men and women when they are going about their day, but the issue is the “uniform” and what it represents in terms of maintaining a political, social and economic order that protects the historical privileges obtained through racism, sexism and economic exploitation. Sure, they “serve and protect” but the question is who do they serve and protect and who don’t they serve or protect. While the author makes the case that the issue is one of lack of education, it is the blind and unquestioning love and support for the police is really based on arrogant and privileged ignorance of the purpose of the police.
Oops, my apologies. I should have said “….public support the men and WOMEN that protect us”. My apologies to all the outstanding women officers as well!
“” There is no rating low enough to give the Red and Black Cafe for their treatment of our officers. When your lives depend on them, they will always be there. When they need support, you turn your backs. No respectable establishment would treat anyone with the lack of respect shown recently. You should be ashamed of yourselves. I am.
I admire the owners nerve to take a stand against a very powerful, vengeful, ignorant, and scary group, the Portland police. It is his cafe & if he prefers not to have it contaminated by a violent man carrying a weapon, that is his privilege in this “free” country. Ms. Seigneur should mind her own business and if she is so offended by an American exercising his rights then she should exercise hers and find another cafe.
Wow, I just saw the story on the news and I have to hand it to the officer for handling the situation with professionalism and integrity. I also want to thank Cornelia for having the where-with-all to publish this story. I hope this officer understands that the majority of the public support the men that protect us. I am also confident that this officer, regardless of how he was treated, would not hesitate to protect the owner of that shop in the event of a crime against that shop. Keep up the good work and thank you!
I love it that the author doesn’t capitalize “red and black” in the article. They don’t deserve it. Talk about a person (the owner) who obviously lives in a very small, close-minded world! Probably the same person who calls my son, who’s in Iraq with a different uniform, a war monger… It’s people like this who make me ashamed to be a democrat.
To the close-minded fool— Meet a Portland officer and get to know him or her. They’re people just like you and me, someone’s son, brother, sister, daughter, father or mother. They’re professionals in a profession that gets way too much blame for the troubles in our world. Don’t be an ignorant hater!
I will never go to your shop and I will share this article with everyone I can.
Seems like if this issue was of real concern to you that you’d get over your liitle knee-jerk reaction and actually investigate the context and reasons behind this. Instead you feign some revulsion and go and give the police offer a shoulder to cry on. If you had been the least bit interested I’m sure that you could have asked the owner, or even half of the patrons why they might not want an armed goon running around in what they consider a safer space, but you didn’t. Instead you took the half-witted sycophantic role of the enabler and reassured that police officer that all of the damage that they have done to people of less priviledged backgrounds is ok with you.
Anyone that has serious interest in this topic will seek out some sort of pretext to it. Aswell someone with some degree of critical thought would recognize that the owner is not operating from within a void but is taking action informed by analysis. An analysis that you lack understanding of, whether or not it is accurate is an issue that you are at this moment incapable of addressing because you lack any clue as to what it is, and from where it stems. Do yourself a favor and next time someone does something that you think is just crazy absurd, ask them what the reasoning is, half the time you might be right in assuming it is just thoughtless reaction, but this is not one of those times. Rather it was you who instead fell into the trap of thoughtless action by failing to research the scenario and making an assumption based on a socially constructed veiw of “great protectors”. A veiw which has never been able to stand up to historical truths, but every society continues to teach their youths (who by and large retain the view into adulthood) that the police are “different now”, and “different here”. Unfortunately for all of us the difference is superficial.
I love how the co-owner served him, took his money, THEN asked him to leave. Red and black cafe, huh? We’ll see how fast this spreads and what kind of business they’ll get.
The very fact that the co-owner of the Red/Black felt comfortable enough to ask the officer to leave the coffee shop flies in the face of reason that he was afraid of the police. Not so afraid he could not confront the officer patronizing his store. Not afraid that word would get out and other cops would vandalize his store or target him and his employees. Not afraid to exercise his rights as a citizen. And that is how it should be. A small vocal minority of citizens regularly exercise their right to protest the police and, when it remains peaceful, they do it without fear of violence or repression. The same minority of citizens denigrate the police while blissfully ignorant of what it takes to keep the city reasonably safe. This means the police, in spite of politics and budgets, are doing a good job.
I agree that the history of policing in this country is not always pretty but there is a historical and political context that is intentionally left out of those conversations by people serving their agenda. Sometimes policing is still not pretty. After all, it’s ugly when you have to deal with with violence and violent people on a daily basis. It’s ugly when an errant police officer makes the whole profession look bad. The fact is, however, that today our society enjoys the most professional corps of men and women police work has ever had to offer. That doesn’t mean they are perfect. That doesn’t mean there isn’t more work to do. It means they are human beings doing the best work they can do for a human institution.
It would be paradise to live in a world where people do not commit unspeakable atrocities against one another. I would love that. I would love to live in a world of peace, justice and cooperation that does not involve government. I would love to live in a world that does not need police. That world just doesn’t exist in the universe known as reality.
Thank you for the article. Was a Portland Officer for 31 years. Nice that folks like you speak up now and then because usually the press attention is given to those who do not appreciate what I and countless others do for the community. After all their controversy is what “sells” not a handshake or a pat on the back.
The police exist to enforce the will of the powerful; anyone who has not had a bad experience with them is likely either privileged or submissive. Today’s police officers, at least in North America, know exactly what they’re getting into when they join the force; people in uniform don’t just get cats out of trees in this country. Yes, most take the job because of what they feel to be economic necessity, but needing a paycheck is no excuse for obeying orders to evict families, harass young men of color, or pepper spray demonstrators; those whose consciences can be bought are everyone else’s enemies.
By publicly deriding the police as an institution, we encourage them to cease to be police officers, so we can find common cause with them.
Some people feel uncomfortable around police. There are a LOT of good reasons for some people to feel uncomfortable around the police.
Why shouldn’t these people be able to eat a bagel and coffee without feeling uncomfortable?
You people are operating on the assumption that everyone should love the cops. I know that a lot of people get into police work because they want to protect and serve their community, but it’s not that simple. There is a very real and unfortunate power dynamic at play. If you’ve never felt unsafe around the cops, then congratulations, you’re probably not a minority. You’re probably also not people with unpopular political views.
I’ve seen the cops bully my friends and some of the best people I know, slam them into the pavement for not breaking any laws at all. That’s violence, and unlike most people, they get away with assault on our dime. I’ve been pepper sprayed when they wantonly whip that stuff out to use as crowd control on people who were just exercising their first amendment rights. I have asthma and I had an attack after breathing that in, I thought I felt like I was going to die. Now I’m afraid to make political statements in case they whip that stuff out again.
That particular cop may be a perfectly fine person, but you have to be pretty politically ignorant to go into THE RED AND BLACK CAFE (read: anarcho-syndicalist) and expect to be treated well as a member of the state’s mercenary home team.
Seriously!!! If you are terrified of the Police, afraid for your life, OBVIOUSLY you are doing something wrong. If you are not breaking the law, then you have nothing to fear. It’s really not that difficult of a concept!
DruglessxF, Eli, Sally, A. Citizen, James…I feel sorry for you all. It must suck living the life of a victim.
GD – great idea. Portland Police…you men and women are amazing and don’t forget it. Minus the FEW, you are 100% supported, appreciated and respected. Thank you for the thankless job you do every single day. Same to to the firefighters and EMT. You’re all amazing.
I had the opportunity to read your article about the Portland Police Officer and the unwelcome greeting he got from the Portland business. I’m a retired police officer from california and I’ve been approached many times by people eating in the restaurant I was in having a meal just to say they liked coming there because they felt safe while I/we were there. Lastly, you should take the officer up on his offer to ride along with him even if it is just for a couple of hours. It will give you a different perspective of what they deal with on a day to day basis. Thanks for the article and your support.
Sorry, South East that is…
NORTH, NORTH EAST, SOUTH…. Any high crime rate area that you will need the Police to survive will do….
Thank you for writing this article! You are awesome for sharing this and it should be shared with everyone! Please write about this for many! It would be great in the Oregonian!!!!
My wife and i own a coffee house in Northeast Portland at 50th and Fremont called Jim and Patty’s Coffee. We welcome police officers in our cafe and are always glad to see them come in. We believe a coffeehouse should be a place where all people should be treated with respect and dignity.
If you fear the police this is for you…. That fear is derived from being an IGNORANT OR BAD PERSON! And it is from seeing IGNORANT AND/OR BAD PEOPLE like yourself get arrested, sent to jail, and or shot! If you were not a person who likes to rebel you would have no reason to dislike the police. Oh, unless you just don’t think there is anything wrong with people putting a Cops life in danger. Ya know, that is why people are shot by Cops. Any response to this is just an attempt to get out of being called out. Like a little child who misbehaves and is called out. You have very immature attitudes and opinions. You are no doubt uneducated and grew up in a home/ family who also was ignorant or bad. Yes BAD. Breaking the law that keeps you safe… Get yourself a more worthy cause and put your energy into improving this world instead of being a pain in societies ass.
It is going to be so interesting to see how quick the Red and Black gets broken into now that everyone knows that they will not call the Police…. I would not feel safe there at all!
Also, (to the man who said that he had to be afraid of Cops because he is black) one more thing, why do you think that Bill Cosby is not afraid of the Cops? He is a black man….. Maybe because he knows that he is not in danger because he is a respectable man who does not break laws. You need to try to live a respectable life and then you will respect those who risk their own life protecting yours!
OR, YES, PLEASE go hang out in NE for a night. And don’t you call the Cops when you are robbed raped and beaten! Uhhg, you people make me nuts!
My father, ret. police officer, had a dark world from seeing the daily horror of Portland. I’m sad to hear this story. It reminds me of how my father was treated. He had many contributing factors of his own, however, having to deal with shop owners who hate him for no reason besides his badge made his world even more dark.
I currenlty have a friend on the police bureau. I hear the stories of the horrible tragedies he gets to witness daily. I’m sad I can’t share the stories,but it frustrates me that arrogant people make judgements about police actions before they know both sides of the story. To think that someone would judge every police officer based on limited information, or the actions of a few, is very ignorant.
I have actually heard a few things about the Red/Black in SE; I myself work at a coffee shop that got vandalized by an Anarchist group recently. A friend that goes to the Red/Black because it’s his local coffee shop, has overhead on many occasions from the staff and regular patrons how much they hate the Portland Police Dept and other specific coffee shops. One of the reasons the Anarchists put that they vandalized my store is because we have a lot of local police officers that take breaks at my store. This is a saddening time when our local police force is no longer respected but feared, what can we do about it?
I have been a Paramedic in Portland for 13 years. I cannot tell how much I appreciate Portland Police. I have been punched, kicked,spit on,cursed at, I have had knifespulled on me and even had a fellow medic friend shot by a mentally I’ll person, all in the name helping. We do this work because of many reasons, civic pride,we believe in a greater cause, whatever. It makes me sad to see people react in such disrespectful ways, pushing their narrow minded views. Do they have a right to ask someone to leave ? Yes. Does that promote goodwill, a sense of community, what would a child think if they saw this happen ? Does every Portland Police officer go to work with the intention of wanting to shoot some one? Of course not. It is childish and stupid to even think that. I would like to ask and even challenge the man who asked the officer to leave to come to work with me for a week. To witness the challenge of violence, overdoses,assaults and death we deal with. Trust me it changes your out look on life forever.
“Here is guy, who happens to be a police officer, who paid good money for a cup of coffee, talking to my daughter and me, who paid good money for their food, and we witness what I believe is discrimination really based upon what someone is wearing and the job he has.”
Discrimination happens all the time based on what someone is wearing and the job they have. I’ll give you an example: As an articulate white woman, you have nothing to fear from the police.
Some of the rest of us don’t have it so lucky. Like me, a young man of color.
Nevermind, it is the Red and Black Cafe. SHAME ON THEM.
As a vegetarian, who eats at vegan establishments regularly, I really wish I knew what cafe this was – so I can make sure to NEVER patron that establishment. I say this as the child of a police officer who shot and kill a man in the line of duty. Shame on that man.
And, Eli, I really wish stupidity was painful.
Right on! I really believe God put you in a certain place to tell this story of “hate speech” by liberals who are so quick to tell you they are “open minded.” What a crock. Makes me glad I don’t live in SE Portland, but really, I’m dreaming of moving to a red state!!!
“How about you and all your friends who think we don’t need police go spend one night in north portland on the street, then tell me that.”
You say this because North Portland is the poor neighborhood (except where you suburban white folk have decided to plant yr little coffee shops and art space where you can feel safe at the expense of the folk who have lived in the neighborhood for years)? Because North Portland is where a large majority of black people live? I live in North Portland, have for over a decade, and yes, there are problems but most of those problems are due to poverty and the fact that ignorant ass liberal white folk like you all don’t give a rats ass about what happens to anyone other than you. You like the cops because they protect your cozy little lives, the lives that are built on the backs of poor people, people of color, sick people.
I dont know what the red and black cafe is but I think Im going to look it up, because it’s about time people start standing up for themselves. You all can enjoy your lattes in ladds edition, maybe my son and his friends who work construction can build a nice little wall around you, you can keep your cops and your prayer flags and your sugar coated ideas about America. Forget the truth, stay ignorant because if your fragile little brain ever caught a glimpse of reality I fear you and your pathetic existence would crumble to the ground.
I dont wear a mask but I respect those kids that do, I’ve seen enough reality to understand that cops are not my friends and aint gonna do shit to protect me.
Eli, Doug, you kids keep up yr work.
The rest of you, read a book (thanks for the suggestion, Eli. Have you read any Angela Davis, that sister has inspired me for a long time.) , visit a prison, talk to someone who has been down and out. I dare you.
My husband is a portland police officer…..he’s never drawn his gun at anyone…he’s definitely not a murderer. Eli, you’re a moron and so is the person at the red black cafe. You people are lucky that there are police….when your so called “community” can’t back you up..who are you going to call for help? Before my husband was a police officer, he worked at a place on Alberta, he rides his bike to work, and eats frickin’ quinoa everyday….he’s a lot like the people who hate him. He’d help you with anything from getting someone dangerous away from you to helping you move your couch out of your house. Maybe we’ll come into your little cafe out of uniform. You’d never know the difference. Maybe we’ll tell our friends to also…. for being all “portland” you sure are a bunch of biggots. Are you part of the winners that keep doing pointless laughable protests? You guys look REALLY cool in your stupid masks. Great job. Really.
Eli, you and people like you are the reason this country is ending up the way it is. Go right ahead and tell the cops to go away. I bet you don’t have the guts to say it openly, in public. You would be too afraid that the next time you needed a cop, there wouldn’t be one for you. Cops are people too, they have families and friends just like you and I do. They have the same right you and I have to go home every night safely. If a “person that broke the law” decides not to listen to the police officer, guess who gets to go home that night. The only thing I can say is take your hippie little behind and go fly a kite.
Eli, you’re on the wrong blog…. but i like your perspective. People need to hear it.
Bigots (not Biggot) hate people based on who they are; race, color, sexual orientation, how they spell etc. Those of us who fear the police do so because of how we have been treated by the police. That’s not bigotry, it’s enlightened self interest. Be glad you have not been enlightened.
Respect is earned, not worn.
Are a lot of minorities commenting on this blog?
@Eli — I respect your opinions, but I think you missed the author’s point? Also, please see below re: uniforms.
@Author/Nelly — I am an RN and personally find being in a hospital a very comforting experience. But I also understand that many *many* people are *very* uncomfortable in a hospital setting. And I do not currently work in a hospital setting…I do hospice work, so on the one hand many people have very complimentary things to say about what I do, but the majority of our society still has a real challenge dealing with death and dying.
Re Uniforms — I see how some might find a police uniform intimidating, but I disagree that it is designed to be that way. I believe experiences are learned — just ask the mom of the child who freaks out when s/he sees an RN in scrubs. To the child, the scrubs uniform means “I’m going to get poked, and have to spend time away from my parents, and will be feeling poorly” — but no one would say that scrubs are designed to be intimidating…
I think we should buy gift certificates for that palce and give them to Patrol Officers.
Well put Jordan.
Thank you for writing this article. Please consider publishing this in the Oregonian. I think the police community needs to know that many people support them and thank them for protecting all of us regardless of how many citizens treat them poorly.
Eli: Get a clue.
I’m pretty sure your paranoid rant is the dumbest thing I’ve heard in my life. The worst part is that in spite of your fear that the police are really enemies, you probably believe that no one should be able to own guns.
Paul. Don’t be so fast to judge. One must try and see where others are coming from. These people have suffered horrendous indignities at the very hands of those sworn to protect imagine how you would feel about cops if your best friend was executed by the police when he didn’t respond to their freeze commands… Because he was deaf… I experienced this at 9 or 10 years of age. And what was our horrible crime that demanded cops show up shooting? Throwing snow balls.
Perhaps there is a reason why we are hearing this kind of talk. Things have changed dramatically. If the only violence you have ever experienced is always brought by the police…. Your view of them would be different.
And I am a free thinking person. Identify more with progressive politics, but 100% support the 2nd amendment, the right to own a firearm. For just these times. You better have a way to fight back when the armed police overstep their constitutional authority, executing citizens with impunity. Sounds like the very tyrannical government our founding fathers were concerned with
I suppose if someone enters the Red & Black establishment wielding a baseball bat (or worse), threatening the customers and the owners, they will call Eli to rush right over over to “build community and create safe neighborhoods” by reasoning with the bat….rather than calling 911. Eli could possibly save the taxpayers money by “policing through peace” …but who would pay Eli’s resultant medical bills/funeral IF it doesn’t work?….Taxpayers….and how fast will it take Eli/Eli’s heirs to sue the City of Portland because a police officer didn’t respond???…and who ends up paying for that settlement? Taxpayers. And the Eli’s of the world wonder why they don’t have more support from the vast majority of citizens who admire and respect the police and would not want to live in a civilization without them. Dream on Eli. America was founded on the hopes and dreams and policing was, and is, the only way we still have hope in this country.
Funny, Eli, I thought the uniform was to identify them as actual officers of the law & easily identifiable from the other guy with a gun trying to rape your wife.
Well, I can assume then that in the event of a robbery or other event needing assistance that Red & Black won’t be calling 911 and asking the Portland Police for help?
Eli, how dare you say that, my father was a portland cop as well as my uncle, great uncle, aunt, and mother, and brother in law.. They are doing a service, just like a meter maid or sanitation worker, we pay them to protect us, and for the most part they do.. My family sacrificed 25 years of each of their lives to serve the city of portland to protect people like you and protect your ability to say what you have.. The term “don’t bite the hand that feeds you (or in this case protects)” comes to mind.. These are men and women with children and families who have the courage everyday to put on that blue uniform and badge and face people like you and still choose to help you, serve you, and protect you.. They never ask for anything, they just do the job, and they deserve the same amount of respect as anyone else. I bet you speak out against racism? Sexism? Discrimination? What do you think the red and black has done here? Or all the other places that do this? Exactly that, racist against their uniforms, discriminatory against their badges.. How about you and all your friends who think we don’t need police go spend one night in north portland on the street, then tell me that.. But until then until you’ve experienced what these fine men and women do everyday, keep your rude and close minded opinion to yourself, because yeah you may not offend those officers because it is a sad fact they are used to this lack of respect, but you offend their wives, their children, their widows and orphans of fallen officers. How would you feel, if someone said what you have about your father? Your mother? You are nothing more than a new aged racist.. And it is sad and unfortunate to share the same city with such a biggot like yourself.
That is your experience. I respect that and genuinely glad you have not been the victim of police brutality. Many Many Many… Way too many.. Of us, have experienced the opposite. First hand. I am now traumatized by my experience with the police. There are times when I am driving, I see a cop car and my heart jumps immediately. I get this electric anxiety pulsing through my body. This is all subconscious. It’s automatic. My brain is going into self preservation mode. Preparing for violent conflict. This did not happen in a vacuum. It took conditioning. It took some very traumatic episodes so shocking that it permanently altered my personality. I went from a police officer respecting little boy to someone who can not stand even being in the same room with these violent lying sociopaths. Sidenote: I dated a judge for a few years…. And wow what an insight that was. She would get so upset and just disgusted with cops. She said nobody lies more from the stand than cops and readily admitted her disgust with their behavior that rarely finds its way into the public sphere
“I also asked him whom he would call if someone came in to rob his store and he said he would call his friends in a community and that is when I knew we were getting nowhere.”
So he had a legitimate response to your question but you knew ya’ll were getting nowhere because you didn’t like his answer? Some communities find more support from their neighbors than from an armed group of outsiders with vastly different interests. I support the Red and Black’s decision to maintain a safe space for their community.
Ms. Seigneur,
Thanks for the interesting article. Why don’t you or your daughter wriite a version of this for the op-ed page of the Oregonian? It would cause quite a lot of conversation and might do some good. You were a good basketball coach a long time ago.
Please read the book, Our Enemies in Blue. It talks about the history and real mission of the police in America, from current police brutality and racial profiling to Red Squads (and their current manifestations, one reason why the co-owner of a radical community oriented space may not want them there) to Slave Patrols and pre-police institutions. There are ways to build community and create safe neighborhoods without police. If you question how, google ‘alternatives to police’ which will give you many throughout the world. The officer was in his uniform (of intimidation – – it is meant to make people uncomfortable and intimidated) and as a frequenter of the Red and Black, I applaud the decision to ask him to leave. But I go to the Red and Black not just because it is vegan, but because they support other social justice politics I support – They are wobblies, an institution that was greatly harmed by the police, nationally, in the 20’s. Just Say No to single issue politics. If an on-duty cop came to my job, I would not serve him or her, just for the record.
This is the most absurd thing I have ever read about Portland police. Nobody I know cries for person that can kill you and cash a paycheck in the same week without skipping a beat. Police have rarely ever kept me safe, but terrifed, afraid for my life, liberty, and freedom. They are the first string of all state endorsed attacks against the people. They are not to be trusted, and I certainly wouldnt’t feel “comfortable” with them, either. All businesses have the right to tell people to leave whenever they want. Let’s see how your Ladd’s addition coffeeshop treats people with no money, wounded mental faculties, and little children. The Red and Black Café has always strived to be accommodating to people that are not a threat or a danger to the communities they participate in. I salute the courage of the Red and Black co-owner to confront a representative of the Portland Police force and declare their lack of welcome. I will certainly be returning.
Thank you for your article. It really means a lot to know there are people who can see the forest through the trees.
Well, according to your most thought-provoking article to date, and the subsequently passionate responses from your fans (apparently coming out of the woodwork!), I’m now very curious about this place. And I may cause a bit of a stir in expressing my impatient desire to now visit this curio “commie” indie eatery! Intriguing! I’m also looking forward to visiting the other coffee house. To be continued… 🙂 So, you’re finally stepping out of your comfort zone . . ! Brave new storyteller! I like it! 😀
I am interested in how many other places respond to peace officers this way. I will be sharing this story at work. There are officers who maybe shouldn’t be officers, however this owner is grouping all of them together, putting a label on them; treating them all the same. If the officer(s) were to do something like this, the owner would most likely be one of the people who would scream the loudest.
As far as a free cup of coffee or meal, it depends on the area of the country you live in. Out here in the western states most departments would string you up for something as small as a cup of coffee.
The people that don’t support men and woman that serve and protect our community are so disrespectful. If people just repected the law and listened to the police as every video and tape always shows them repeating and shouting at the individual what to do and comply. It’s for there safety and the officers. People that follow simple directions don’t seem to be harmed, it’s the ones that defy the police and refuse to obey. It’s so simple I don’t understand why people don’t get it. Thank you for writing this article.
The police bureau is seriously understaffed and crime is much higher than the “numbers” show. Soon, when crime and especially violent crime starts to affect these people they’ll be the biggest supporters of the police.
Stanley Kubrick’s favorite joke went something like this –
“What’s the definition of a neoconservative?”
“A liberal that just got mugged.”.
I think he probably didn’t want the cop to smell the weed he had growing in the backroom. Damn non-contributing hippies.
I am sure many places would offer a free cup of coffee. However, in Portland if an officer takes a free cup and it is reported to Internal Affairs the officer would be dicsiplined and possibly given unpaid days off….sad, but true.
I appreciate you writing this article! We need more people out there like you. What a shame. I am going to boycott this place.
You know back in the 1970s, when cops went to places to eat, or they just needed a cup of coffee, they were frequently given free coffee as a way of a silent thank you. I wonder how many places do that now?
I know that off duty Portland officers have patronized the place. They weren[‘t harassed by the bigotted owner because they were not identifiable.
Thanks for sharing Nelly. Sad. I hope this raises awareness!