MARINE CITY, Mich. – A Michigan business posted a scathing note about police after the owner was pepper-sprayed during a dispute with a “First Amendment auditor.”
The note was posted on the door of Zimmerman’s Meat Market in Marine City on Wednesday, Jan. 7.
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“Closed until further notice. Pls (sic) see our Facebook for info. Pls (sic) stay safe, lock your doors and don’t count on MCPD to protect you. -S,” the note reads.
The owners also told Local 4 that they are planning to sell the business.
We reached out to the police, and they said the department is aware of the sign and is focusing on providing professional police services to Marine City residents.
“The department is aware of the sign,” said Marine City Police Chief James D. Heaslip. “We respect the business owner’s right to free speech, but our focus remains on providing professional law enforcement services to the entire community. Our officers are on the clock 24/7 to ensure the safety of our citizens, and that hasn’t changed.”
The note was posted one day after a group of “First Amendment auditors” was outside the business, filming the market.
The business owner asked if she could help them, and when they didn’t respond, she said she was scared and called the police.
Her father said he saw a police car down the street, so he went outside to talk to the officer.
Video footage, which has garnered thousands of views on social media, shows the auditor pepper-spraying the man as he walks outside of the business.
The people recording say they film in public spaces to exercise their rights and educate others about those rights.
Due to differing accounts of what happened, the Marine City Police Department is investigating whether the pepper spray was used in self-defense or if it was an unprovoked attack.
Police seized the pepper spray. They also viewed and requested the video footage for their full review. Once the investigation is complete, the findings will be submitted to the St. Clair County Prosecutor’s Office to determine whether charges will be filed.
“The MCPD is aware of videos circulating on social media,” police said in a release. “We ask for the community’s patience as we conduct a thorough investigation to ensure all facts are gathered before a final determination is made. A full incident briefing will be released to the public once the investigative process concludes.”
The city manager told Local 4 that the owners were unhappy with how the situation was handled and said that it would be reviewed after the investigation is complete.