Couple Refuses To Sit Near Police At Restaurant, Officers Pick Up Their Tab
HOMESTEAD (KDKA) -- It is a difficult time for the country as nerves between some in the community and police are frayed, but recently, four local officers handled an uncomfortable situation without any confrontation.
It was Friday night at the Eat 'n Park in Homestead.
Four police officers were sitting down at a table for dinner. Employees say the officers are regulars at the restaurant.
The officers had placed their order and were waiting.
"I heard talk, and I looked over, and there was a couple coming into the restaurant, and they made it clear, they didn't want to sit near us, and they were quite adamant," said Homestead Police Sgt. John Kaschauer.
"They looked over and said, 'We don't want to sit here,'" said Louann Davis, a waitress. "You could tell they were looking at the police, and they moved them to another section."
Under other circumstance, the couple moving to the other side of the restaurant would be the end of it. But with all that has happened in our country over the last week, the officers saw this as an opportunity.
While comfortable with their local residents, these officers are feeling the recent tensions on the street.
"I do feel it from people who might be on a traffic stop or passing through the area, little things they say," said Sgt. Kaschauer.
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But they didn't expect it in a restaurant, so they decided to pick up the couple's check.
"Showing that, just because you don't like somebody doesn't mean you can't be kind to them," Sgt. Kaschauer said.
They sent the check to the table with a message reading, "Sir, your check was paid for by the police officers that you didn't want to sit next to. Thank you for your support. I left a $10 tip, too."
"They want to make it known that in our community they are here to be our friends and take care of us, and not our enemies that are out to get you," Davis said.
As Sgt. Kaschauer put it, "Not all cops are bad, not all people are bad."
