Written by Vincent Cain
The owners of an SF restaurant apologized on Sunday to Officers for asking them to leave because the Officers’ guns made the employees uncomfortable.
The owners of the restaurant, Rachel Sillcocks and Kristina Liedags Compton, said in a statement that was posted on social media that “these are stressful times, and we handled this badly.”
Before this, the restaurant posted an explanation on their Instagram on Saturday that read: “The restaurant is a safe space. The presence of the officers’ weapons in the restaurant made us feel uncomfortable. We respect the San Francisco Police Department and are grateful for the work they do. We welcome them into the restaurant when they are off duty, out of uniform, and without their weapons.”
Backlash followed soon after on social media, including a response from the San Francisco police chief William Scott, who said his department “stands for safety with respect, even when it means respecting wishes that our officers and I find discouraging and personally disappointing.”
The restaurant owners backtracked on Sunday with their apology, stating, “We made a mistake and apologize for the unfortunate incident on Friday when we asked members of the San Francisco Police Department to leave our restaurant,” said Sillcocks and Liedags Compton. “We are grateful to all members of the force who work hard to keep us safe, especially during these challenging times.”
The whole incident drew comments from both sides of the issue. Some were upset at the incident, calling it discriminatory.
One poster wrote, “How disrespectful and entitled of the business to treat people who risk their lives to protect us. It’s a bit heartbreaking actually.” Local resident John Perri said, ” “So bummed this happened in my neighborhood. Never had the food at this new restaurant. But it could not possibly be good enough to cover the bad taste this leaves.” Mr. Perri sure hit the nail on the head with that statement.
Photo Cred: Jessica Flores/San Francisco Chronicle via AP
