Smart and Final store in downtown Los Angeles cited for discrimination

Los Angeles City Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martinez and L.A. Civil Rights Department Executive Director Capri Maddox announced Monday that the city has filed its first citation under Civil and Human Rights law.

The Notice of Violation follows an investigation into a discrimination claim made by an African-American shopper against both Smart and Final, LLC and its vendor, Non-Stop Security Services, according to city officials.

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The shopper was identified by officials as a man named Corey Brown; Brown claims he entered the Smart and Final store on South Figueroa Street in downtown Los Angeles on Sept. 22, 2022, but was told by security guards that he had to remove the backpack he was wearing and leave it at the front before proceeding inside.

“Mr. Brown chose to drop off his bag at home, only to find upon his return to the store that customers of different races were allowed to wear backpacks,” Councilmember Soto-Martinez’s office said in a release. “This disparity prompted Mr. Brown to file a complaint with the L.A. Civil Rights Department, initiating a thorough investigation … revealing the implementation of a ‘bag policy’ at the specific Smart and Final location, which was discriminatorily enforced based on customers’ appearances.”

At a news conference Monday morning, L.A. Civil Rights Department Executive Director Capri Maddox emphasized that the way Brown was treated is illegal.

“The treatment that Mr. Brown received is in direct violation of our civil rights laws,” Maddox said. “Any injustices or inequities in the city of Los Angeles will not be tolerated.”

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Brown also spoke out on Monday, saying that he was simply trying to run an errand when he was discriminated against.

“I saw other patrons — non-African-American patrons — who were permitted to keep their bags and backpacks while shopping,” he said. “All I wanted to do was get groceries, but I was treated differently than other patrons in the store because of the color of my skin.”

Following the investigation, the civil rights department issued a Notice of Violation against Smart and Final Stores, LLC and Non-Stop Security Services.

The grocery store faces a $10,000 fine. The security company, which was hit with a $5,000 fine, agreed to a settlement involving a reduced fine and a commitment to training their guards to prevent similar incidents in the future, officials said.

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Smart and Final released a statement to KTLA that read in part:

“We have just received information from the city regarding these claims which involved a former third party security guard and not one of our employees. We take these allegations very seriously and are actively investigating this matter.”

Attorneys say that there is pending litigation regarding the case.

Non-Stop Security Services did not immediately return a request for comment.

Individuals who encounter discrimination in the private sector of commerce, education, employment and housing are encouraged to report incidents by calling 213-978-1845 or filing a complaint at www.lacivilrightsclaim.com

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