The owner of the Lucky Teriyaki in Skagit County, Washington, banned on Thursday the entry of law enforcement officers to his restaurant, arguing that their presence caused discomfort to his clients. County Sheriff Will Reichardt said on Facebook that the incident left him “speechless.”
Four County Sheriff’s Office deputies were having lunch on Thursday at the Lucky Teriyaki in the Sedro-Woolley area. When two of them headed to the counter, they were requested not to come back again. The cashier explained that customers did not appreciate the presence of law enforcement officials there.
Deputies couldn’t believe what they were hearing, but they confirmed the information with the restaurant owner, said Reichardt.
“The owner not only repeated the request but asked that we spread the word to other law enforcement that they were no longer welcome either. I understand a business owner has a right to refuse service if he wants to,” said Reichardt in a Facebook post.
Reichardt added that customers also have the right to find a different restaurant that they also like. The Sheriff’s declarations have become popular on social media, as the statement has been shared more than 25,830 times.
Lucky Teriyaki’s owner regrets his decision: he is now offering free meals to law enforcement officials
The Thursday’s event has caused a negative reaction among people, said Q13Fox. The owner of the Chinese restaurant has already apologized for his decision and has remarked that law enforcement officials are welcome at Lucky Teriyaki.
The restaurant’s owner said on Thursday night that he would be offering free meals to deputies on Monday, July 18. His son said it was all a misunderstood and expressed regret for the inconvenience caused.
A spokesperson for the restaurant told KOMO News that people had sent them life threats through social media. The person said the “misunderstood” occurred because of a “language barrier.” It appears that a customer was upset because he spilled some soup. An employee at the restaurant thought the customer was disturbed by the presence of law enforcement officials near his table.
The Sedro-Woolley Police Department issued a statement on Thursday saying it was disappointed about the event at the restaurant. The department remarked that it would continue “to respond and assist them in any way they request.”
People on Facebook wrote to the Sheriff’s Office about the restaurant’s response. A representative for the office said there was “no language barrier” involved in the event. Others have proposed that someone should rob the restaurant, while deputies said they will always do their job.
Restaurant owners in the area have appreciated the opportunity to advertise their food to deputies. The Bullpen Sports Bar & Grill is currently organizing a police appreciation day for August, to collect money for the Behind the Badge Foundation. The latter supports law enforcement agencies in Washington State.
Pokemon Go fever is present in the Skagit County: here are some safety tips provided by law enforcement officials
The Skagit County Sheriff’s Office issued another statement on Thursday, containing safety tips for Pokemon Go players in the area. The office said that players should always remember they are still in the real world, even when they are capturing creatures in augmented reality.
Tech analysts at Pulse Headlines have described Pokemon Go as more than just game. It has “broken the barriers between the digital and real life.” The game has already been downloaded by more than seven million people in the United States.
Pokemon Go has already surpassed downloads of popular apps such as Tinder, only after a week of its release. Police officers in the country have announced incidents involving players of the game based on the popular Japanese franchise.
The Skagit County Sheriff’s Office said that people should not look at their phones while getting off a bus or crossing a street. The office also recommended players to not to run into trees. Some people in the country might be creating fake “pokestops.”
Pokemon Go players can search for a Pokemon almost everywhere. The office said that some people could use the game to attract strangers. Law enforcement said that players should organize in teams to go out and find Pokemon creatures.
“As you battle, train, and capture your Pokemon – just remember you are still in the real world! Other law enforcement agencies throughout the nation have already reported accidents, injuries, and string of robberies where suspects have set up fake ‘Poke-spots’” said The Skagit County Sheriff’s Office on Thursday.
A Pokemon Go player found a dead body in the Rotary Park at Nashua, New Hampshire, on Thursday. The body was floating in a Brook at two p.m., although the cause of death of the man remains unclear, said 7 News.
Source: Q13Fox