An incident between police and a Denny's caused quite a commotion in Illinois this week.
Five on-duty detectives, whose badges were allegedly visible, were at a Denny's in Belleville, Illinois, when a manager told them to put their guns in their cars or leave, according to police.
They left, even though a second manager approached them and told them they could stay.
Then came the backlash.
Belleville police chief Bill Clay announced a boycott of Denny's, telling his officers not to go to the home of the Grand Slam unless there was an emergency.
He said it was “political stupidness.”
"How do you tell a police officer who's on duty just because he's not in a uniform, you can't carry the tool of your trade in the business? But will let anybody else, any sex offenders, any pedophiles, anybody else come in unchecked," Capt. Donald Sax told KSDK 5.
Denny's later posted an apology on Facebook:
As a company, we are as upset as you about the recent misunderstanding at our Belleville, IL restaurant. After a guest raised concern about an individual with a firearm in the restaurant, our manager approached the individual and communicated that Denny’s policy does not permit firearms in the restaurant. Upon further discussion, we became aware the individual was a plain-clothed police officer. Denny’s policy permits law enforcement officials to carry their firearms in the restaurant and we have reminded all of our restaurants of this policy. Denny’s supports local law enforcement and the hard work they do on behalf of all of our communities and we sincerely apologize for this misunderstanding.
Fortunately, all is well in the Illinois Denny's world. It looks like Denny's and the police have hugged it out.
The chief has now lifted the ban. From his statement:
"Denny's on South Illinois is a Belleville business. They pay sales tax and provide employment for many Belleville residents. I have patronized Denny's in the past and will continue to do so in the future. This was an unfortunate incident by an individual employee; it has been made right."
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