The union representing members of the Providence Police Department released a statement condemning the Dunkin’ employee’s actions. Share 2.4 k Tweet 45 Pin Comment 231 Email The Dunkin’ Donuts on Atwells Avenue in Providence. The Dunkin’ Donuts on Atwells Avenue in Providence. Google Maps 2.4 k 45 231 By John Waller @jd_waller Boston.com Staff | 10.04.15 | 7:11 PM A uniformed member of the Providence Police Department ordered a cup of coffee at a Dunkin’ Donuts on Friday afternoon. When he was leaving the store, he noticed an employee had left him a message on his Styrofoam cup: “#blacklivesmatter.” Another Providence officer, William O’Donnell, then posted the account and a photo of the cup on Facebook, according to GoLocalProv.com. “When is this silliness going to end?” he asks in the posting:
“So my coworker just went to get a coffee at Dunkin Donuts on Atwells Avenue in Providence. The worker was immediately rude, and didn’t appear to want to serve him in Uniform. Upon leaving he noticed what she wrote on his coffee cup. #blacklivesmatter. ? Would you drink it? My suggestion…….absolutely not, go to Starbucks. When is this silliness going to end. But if the store gets robbed she’d be calling us immediately to help AND we will because that’s what we do!!!!!!!!!”
On Sunday, the Providence Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #3, the union representing both active and retired members of the department, held an emergency meeting and then released a statement condemning the employee and the Black Lives Matter movement overall:
“Providence FOP #3 finds this action to be unacceptable and discouraging. Members of this Union, who represent active and retired Providence Police officers adamantly, believe that ‘all lives matter’. … The negativity displayed by the #Blacklivesmatter organization towards Police across this nation is creating a hostile environment that is not resolving any problems or issues, but making it worse for our communities.”
Multiple calls to the Dunkin’ Donuts on Atwells Avenue in Providence Sunday resulted in busy signals. In a statement to Boston.com, Dunkin’ Brands said Sunday the franchisee has apologized to police on behalf of the employee:
Dunkin’ Donuts and our franchisees want all guests to be treated well in our restaurants. The franchisee has apologized on behalf of the employee to the police and very much regrets the situation.
Here’s the full statement from Providence Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #3, which the union’s president, Taft Manzotti, emailed to Boston.com:
“On October 2nd, 2015 at approximately 3 pm, a member of the Providence Police Department walked into the Dunkin Donuts located at Atwells Ave and Bradford Street in the city of Providence. This officer was getting a cup of coffee to start his shift. The officer was in a Providence Police uniform representing the Police Department and Providence Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #3. The officer ordered his coffee and found the worker to be somewhat rude and appeared as though they did not want to serve the officer. Upon leaving the establishment, the officer noticed a message written in black mraker on the cup, #Blacklivesmatter.
Providence FOP #3 finds this action to be unacceptable and discouraging. Members of this Union, who represent active and retired Providence Police officers adamantly, believe that ‘all lives matter’. Our officers, like all other Law enforcement agencies work tirelessly to protect and serve all members of the communities. The negativity displayed by the #Blacklivesmatter organization towards Police across this nation is creating a hostile environment that is not resolving any problems or issues, but making it worse for our communities. They are doing this by increasing tensions amongst police and the people they serve.
We, as a union representing Providence Police officers are concerned about the welfare and safety of all members of Law enforcement. This behavior by an employee of a nationwide corporation is unacceptable. We are also concerned by the action of this employee who created a perceived safety issue to our officers. We bring this incident to the attention of other law enforcement officers across this city, state, and country, to remind them to stay vigilant in your efforts to protect and serve. We also thank those members of the community who continue to support law enforcement officers, and work with law enforcement officers to create a safer community for everyone because ALL LIVES MATTER.
Respectfully submitted:
Providence FOP Lodge #3 Executive Board”
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Poster Comment:
This was the topic on a local talk show this morning. Normally I stay out of the cop discussions here on LF, but this one struck my interest. Life in ObamameriKa - 2015
