NO COPS OR DOGS ALLOWED

Reem's in San Francisco, an Arabic bakery, refuses to serve cops in uniform or those carrying a gun

The company said it has a policy 'to not serve anyone that is armed in a uniform' 

 

By Fiona Connor

 

Daily Mail

Aug 28, 2023 

 

Reem’s California, a local bakery chain, was called out online by the San Francisco Police Officers' Association on August 24 for not serving officers. Pictured: a tweet from the association alerting the public to the controversy 

 

An Arabic bakery in San Francisco is refusing to serve cops in uniform or anyone carrying a weapon.  

Reem’s California, a local bakery chain, was called out online by the San Francisco Police Officers' Association on August 24 for not serving uniformed officers.

'NO COPS ALLOWED. That’s the confirmed policy of the bakery chain Reem’s,' the association wrote on X, with a screenshot of an email. 

The bakery's founder Reem Assil has defendant the policy saying they do not serve anyone in uniform. In a social-media post the restaurant stated the move was to foster 'an environment of safety for our staff and customers.'

The decision was met with outrage online with one social-media poster noting, 'SF native here I will not be returning here ever this city has gone to crap and its things like this that perpetuate it, I feel 10,000% safer when any law enforcement officer is nearby.. plenty of better bakeries in the area, I will be telling friends and family not to come here'

 

The bakery's founder Reem Assil (pictured) has defended the policy saying they do not serve anyone in uniform or carrying a gun

 

In a post on Twitter, the union had shared a photo of the food shop's signage with a screenshot of an email from a 'Reem's California' email address

It said: 'Hello, Thank you for your email. At Reem's we do have a policy to not serve anyone that is armed in a uniform. All officers are welcome to our establishment when they are off duty and not armed.'  

They explained one of their officers was denied service after visiting in a uniform. 

'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.' 

In a follow-up tweet, the association explained why they shared the email. 

'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.' 

The association's objections come days after Reem's posted to Instagram that the bakery has a 'deep commitment to uplifting social and racial justice in our communities.'

'That includes fostering an environment of safety for our staff and customers,' the restaurant wrote in the post. 'In a time of increased gun violence - particularly impacting people of color, youth and queer people - were believe that maintaining a strict policy of prohibiting guns in our restaurant keeps us safer.'

The post added many members of the 'our community' have been impacted by gun violence - either in San Francisco, area of war or fears of political extremism. 

'All too often, Black and brown people, and poor people are the victims of this violence,' Reem's stated. 

The owner, Assil, tried to explain the policy further after backlash from the police association. 

'All officers are welcome to come to our establishment when they are off duty and not armed,' she said. 

 

'NO COPS ALLOWED. That’s the confirmed policy of the bakery chain Reem’s,' the assocaition wrote on X, with a screenshot of an email.

Reem's posted to Instagram that the bakery has a 'deep commitment to uplifting social and racial justice in our communities'

In a social-media post the restaurant stated the move was to foster 'an environment of safety for our staff and customers'

'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,' the association noted

Reem's stated many members of the 'our community' have been impacted by gun violence - either in San Francisco, area of war or fears of political extremism.

 

Many social media users were outraged at the move and expressed their anger in posts. 

'At no point is anyone afraid of an armed police officer in a bakery… unless they are a criminal.. practice what you preach on inclusivity and safety.. I would have cops all day in my shop to make my customers feel safer,' wrote realtor Michel M. Francis on Instagram. 

Another, Michael Rullan, noted: 'What a stupid post. You are creating more division and refusing to serve the officers that protect your establishment. Who are you going to call when an armed robber comes into your bakery??? Guns in the hands of the right people make us a safer community... Because there will always be guns in the hands of the wrong people. Wake up!!'

While Jeremy Besse hoped that Reem's would soon find itself out-of-business.

'Hoping to hear of a permanent closure of your business soon. Shameful “inclusive” behavior,' he noted.

However, not all commenters were against Reem's policy. Some backed the bakery for the move to exclude cops. 

'Bruhhh all these randoms are so noisy. those cops can literally go get food anywhere else. Shoutout for putting your community first,' K Misech wrote on Instagram. 

Reem's is not the first San Francisco establishment to essentially ban police officers, according to SFGate. 

In 2021, the owners of Hilda and Jesse, an all-day brunch eatery, apologized after public backlash when three uniformed officers were asked to leave the establishment. 

This year, a worker at Pizza Squared was fired after he told police officers they were not welcomed. 

 

Police officers stand at the site of a shooting on Haight Street in San Francisco in 2021, an area popular with young homeless people. San Francisco has seen a spike in crime, homelessness and drug use in recent years

 

San Francisco police have faced heavy criticism and anger in recent years in the wake of liberal policies and 'defund the police' cries. That has led to a spike in crime throughout the Bay Area - which has been coupled with increased drug use and homelessness - seen since the end of the pandemic. 

In 2023, there has been a nearly 13 percent increase in the number of homicides in San Francisco. The number of robberies jumped by 14.5 percent from 1,450 to 1,660.

However, total crimes are down about 4 percent so far on the year. 

The city is also facing rampant drug use - with many dealers plying their trade openly on the streets. 

As a result, city figures show there were more than 268 drug overdose deaths in the first six months of 2023 alone – a 41 percent increase over 2022.