[Ammi]

Officials have launched an investigation after a viral video showed a white transit officer seemingly detaining a black man for eating a sandwich on a train platform in San Francisco.

Steve Foster was eating his breakfast before riding the BART, the subway system in the San Francisco Bay Area, when he was approached by the officer last week.

He can be heard telling the officer in a video shared to his profile: “You singled me out of all these people.”

“You’re eating”, the officer can be heard saying in response.

Mr Foster replied: “So what?”

The video caused a backlash among San Francisco residents and officials, who participated in an “eat-in” protest on BART train platforms during the weekend and criticised the incident as an act of racism.

BART later confirmed the passenger was issued a citation on 4 November, adding that he “was not arrested” but rather “cited for eating which is a violation of state law”.

The statement continued: “It isn’t just a policy or ordinance, it is penal code.”

Rebecca Saltzman, BART’s board vice president, also said she and “other BART directors are following up with management” after the subway system’s independent police auditor received a complaint about the incident.

While an extended video of the exchange showed the passenger berating the officer, demonstrators who showed up to a protest told media there were bigger priority issues the subway system was facing than handing out citations for eating food.

“We can be doing better things, like preventing people from defecating or whatever on BART,” one resident named Nika Sanchez told NBC Bay Area.

John Riemann, another demonstrator at the eat-in, told ABC 7 News: “To me, I have no doubt this guy was treated differently because he is a young black man.”

Youtube video

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/w...-a9198846.html

[Headie]

Saw this last week, it seems they employed more officers to patrol the station as there's been a rise in theft, muggings, drug usage etc... and instead they decide to arrest a black man for eating a sandwich You can't make it up.

[Toy Soldier]

I'm 99% sure when the subtitles say "We got a guy here on the platform, he's being uncooperative. Send me [unintelligable]"... he says "Send me Keanu Reeves".

[bitontheslide]

perhaps it was a particularly offensive sandwich?

[parmnion]

If he hadn't been so mouthy to the cop he would probably only been warned.

[GiRTh]

Originally Posted by parmnion

If he hadn't been so mouthy to the cop he would probably only been warned.

[Niamh.]

Why is it illegal to eat on an outdoor train platform anyway? Bit of a stupid rule

[GiRTh]

Originally Posted by Niamh.

Why is it illegal to eat on an outdoor train platform anyway? Bit of a stupid rule

[LeatherTrumpet]

Originally Posted by Niamh.

Why is it illegal to eat on an outdoor train platform anyway? Bit of a stupid rule

rules are rules, i am sure its there for a reason and for passenger safety

[GiRTh]

Originally Posted by LeatherTrumpet

rules are rules, i am sure its there for a reason and for passenger safety

So we arrest people for breaking this rule, do we? Seems a little harsh, dont you think?

[Niamh.]

Originally Posted by LeatherTrumpet

rules are rules, i am sure its there for a reason and for passenger safety

Good job they have all these police officers around to protect the Public from them sandwich eating perps then, eh?

[Ammi]

...4 police officers to handcuff him because the original police officer felt the need to call backup for the sandwich eater....that must have been some sandwich filling...

[Niamh.]

Originally Posted by Ammi

...4 police officers to handcuff him because the original police officer felt the need to call backup for the sandwich eater....that must have been some sandwich filling...

The officer said he was resisting arrest but all he said was "lettuce alone"

[The Slim Reaper]

Originally Posted by Ammi

...4 police officers to handcuff him because the original police officer felt the need to call backup for the sandwich eater....that must have been some sandwich filling...

At least lamb, mint yoghurt, and some crispy onions.

[The Slim Reaper]

Originally Posted by Niamh.

The officer said he was resisting arrest but all he said was "lettuce alone"

They said he could pay a fine, but he didn't have enough bread on him.

[The Slim Reaper]

Seems like a pretty ham fisted approach to police work if you ask me.

[Niamh.]

Originally Posted by The Slim Reaper

They said he could pay a fine, but he didn't have enough bread on him.

Yep, got himself into an awful pickle

[The Slim Reaper]

That's what happens when you resist baguette

[LeatherTrumpet]

Originally Posted by Niamh.

Good job they have all these police officers around to protect the Public from them sandwich eating perps then, eh?

law breaking is a serious business and i am glad the SF police have a zero tolerance approach to perps, good job officer.

[Denver]

Racist american Cops strike again

[Ammi]

...I’m just reading that BART have apologised and it is being looked into as it’s the singling out that is claimed by Mr Foster ...of a platform of many sandwich/snack eaters...

[GoldHeart]

Originally Posted by Niamh.

Why is it illegal to eat on an outdoor train platform anyway? Bit of a stupid rule

It isn't illegal , bet if he saw a group sniffing coke he'd turn a blind eye . Because its easier to pick on a innocent person minding their own business who isn't a threat .

Racial or not he's probably the type of prick that would give an elderly woman grief for accidentally dropping a sweet wrapper . And probably treat her like a criminal.

[arista]

Originally Posted by Ammi

...4 police officers to handcuff him because the original police officer felt the need to call backup for the sandwich eater....that must have been some sandwich filling...

Only 4?

[Twosugars]

American police is full of racists

[LeatherTrumpet]

Originally Posted by Twosugars

American police is full of racists

what rubbish

have you even been to USA?