San Francisco Police Union Responds After A Restaurant Bans Armed Officers

A dispute has arisen between a San Francisco restaurant and the police following the restaurant’s decision to enact a policy prohibiting the entry of armed officers.

Reem’s California took to Instagram on Friday to announce the implementation of this policy, citing a solid dedication to promoting social and racial justice within their communities. However, Reem’s clarified that their policy isn’t a complete refusal of service to police officers; rather, it applies specifically to officers who are in uniform and carrying firearms.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Reem's California (@reemscalifornia)

“In a time of increased gun violence — particularly impacting people of color, youth, and queer people — we believe that maintaining a strict policy of prohibiting guns in our restaurant keeps us safer,” Reem’s wrote.

The San Francisco Police Officer’s Association used Twitter to address the restaurant’s stance. In a post on Thursday, they recalled an incident in which officers were denied service due to being in uniform.

NO COPS ALLOWED. That’s the confirmed policy of the bakery chain Reem’s. One of our officers was denied service last weekend because he was in uniform. Reem’s confirms that they will not serve anyone armed and in uniform. Presumably, this includes members of the US Military. pic.twitter.com/0cDzEV0D68

— San Francisco POA (@SanFranciscoPOA) August 24, 2023

“We are not asking Reem’s or any business with a bigoted policy to serve our officers,” SFPOA said. “We’re asking them to own their discriminatory policy & and put up a sign so we know not to spend money in your establishment—on or off duty. We took the liberty of designing one for them.”

Nevertheless, Reem’s Mission District location was marked as “temporarily closed” on the restaurant’s website, with no specified date for reopening provided.

We are not asking Reem’s or any business with a bigoted policy to serve our officers. We’re asking them to own their discriminatory policy & and put up a sign so we know not to spend money in your establishment—on or off duty. We took the liberty of designing one for them. pic.twitter.com/aITQFLOFG0

— San Francisco POA (@SanFranciscoPOA) August 24, 2023