Customer at Chuck’s Produce was asked to leave for not wearing a mask
VANCOUVER – The Vancouver Police Department issued a news release Thursday in an attempt to clarify facts that have been reported about an incident that took place at Chuck’s Produce & Street Market in east Vancouver.
On Sept. 8, Vancouver Police responded to a call for service at the Mill Plain location of the local grocery store regarding a customer the store manager wanted trespassed for violating store policy.
According to the Vancouver Police officials, several news outlets, including some national outlets, have reported inaccurate information related to the incident.
“Information is circulating and spreading on both social and traditional media that citations were issued by Vancouver Police related to the statewide mask mandate,’’ read the news release. “This is incorrect. No citations were issued by the Vancouver Police Department related to the mask mandate. In fact, no citations were issued at all during this call for service and no one was arrested. Officers were called to remove an unwanted individual from the business and ultimately when the individual refused to leave a trespass warning notice was issued to that individual.’’
The Vancouver Police report included a synopsis of the incident from police reports for case number 2021-018912:
On September 8, 2021 at approximately 1459 Vancouver Police were dispatched to 13215 SE Mill Plain Blvd. regarding an unwanted person. Dispatch notes indicated the unwanted person was asked to leave several times (as she was not wearing a mask, as required by the store) and she refused to do so. The responding officer made contact with the store manager who advised he would like the customer to leave the store. The officer made contact with the customer, who again refused to leave and stated she just wanted to pay for her items. The officer asked the manager if he was willing to accept payment from the customer for her items and the manager stated the store did not want her business and wanted her to leave.
The officer issued the customer, who refused to identify herself, a trespass warning notice, based on her refusal to leave and at the request of store management. The warning notice was provided to the customer and police left. A short time later, dispatch received another call that a group was still in the store being disruptive, filming and causing a disturbance. Store personnel asked that the group be trespassed and removed from the store.
When officers arrived the second time, the store manager made the decision to clear the store of all customers and close temporarily. Vancouver Police assisted store personnel with directing customers out of the store and off store property. There were no citations written or arrests during either of the calls for service to this location.
National news media also inaccurately reported that Vancouver Washington has one of the worst crime rates in the nation. We are not aware of any credible supporting data for the media to make this assertion.
Information provided by Vancouver Police Department.
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