Safeway is very great at racial profiling. I was racial profiled once, by a person of the same race as me. Ridiculous.

I think this is despicable. What is wrong with people. Here are some good people doing a good deed and look what happens. I live around the corner from that Safeway. That store manager should be ashamed. If you are not sure, and can't see who it is for description then don't bother the police.

So glad everyone kept their cool and it did not escalate. Shame on Safeway Shoreline! Their employees need to receive sensitivity training and get the facts straight before calling the police.

FIVE POLICE OFFICERS? Interesting how police version of events differs from the woman's, and then footage matches HER version. Seems like the cops like to downplay situations when it suits them. Truly is a troubling story. These types of incidents seem to be happedning more often in this country, a sign of the times...a troubling sign.

I frequent that Safeway often and have seen more homeless people there which is very sad. I'll back off from complaining about Google ruining our city as much as they're starting to help repair the damage they have done with their recent large donation to help the homeless here, but don't stop helping. And I hope that money does help the homeless.

Regarding this family helping the homeless, God bless them for caring this much. It troubles me as well seeing them there when I have money to purchase food, not much though myself, as the majority of my money goes to the ever increasing rent here. My husband tells me that could be us soon. It's stressful living here but I've been here 35 years now.

I'm so sorry you experienced this and why five officers had to show up. Really? A family with children helping homeless people and they are a threat? To who? If anything, it makes white people look bad! Makes no sense. It does sound like racial profiling.

We are all one family on this one planet of ours. Helping each other is what we are supposed to do. Reminds me of the recent incident of the African-American man trying to figure out his security system to his store out front of it and police came. Seriously. It was his store. Those prejudice white people out there (and I'm white) need to stop with this stuff. Accept. Be kind. Don't be like Trump.

When Black Americans speak about generational trauma, this is what they mean.
When Black Americans speak about having PTSD just from living, this is what they mean.

Everywhere they go, at all times, they are Black before they are American. White supremacy is the water in which we all live, but only non-whites experience it as a visceral daily reality.

As a white male, I never have to think about my race, it just is. I never have to wonder if my mere presence will lead someone to call the police on me.

This is not an isolated incident. It is a daily fact of life for Black Americans.

So who is whose child? I am confused. One of the boys goes to school with my son, yet the mom is Sunnyvale resident? Confusing!
Also, there are too many homeless near that Safeway already. Please do not provide incentive for them to camp out there and litter. They can go to Hope’s Corner where the google money is. I am not rich and I cannot afford moving out of the neighborhood which now just doesn’t look nice anymore.

The police did what they were supposed to do, nothing out of the ordinary here. Seems like it was handled properly.

Pulling out- except that the report that the police filed did not match up with the families account. And the families matched up with what was recorded on the officers cameras. Interesting isn’t it?
I guess the family should be grateful they were not shot on the spot- as happens in many encounters between minority groups and the police. Of course the police would have claimed they were afraid for their lives.

This is very disappointing to hear. This family is so thoughtful to take the time out after church to give packages to the homeless. I wonder why the officers statement and the spokespersons statement were different than what actually happened. Someone is trying to cover their butts. I go to this Safeway all the time and I've seen young adults and teenagers steal things from that store and run right out the store and the cops weren't called and those individuals were white. If she really stole something why did she not run? Why was the other young women's car searched when she didn't go inside of the store neither? Safeway you better fix this or you will find yourself missing customers.

The 2 comments that are on this site are ridiculous.

Neighbor-So who is whose child? I am confused. One of the boys goes to school with my son, yet the mom is Sunnyvale resident? Confusing!

Lady or Man, what does her child have to do with your concern? It's obvious the woman with the dog Erika Martin her son is Christopher Flemming because his last name is different duh!!! Don't you live in Mountain View? Do you shop or go out of the area to do shopping or go places? Who cares where this woman lives her family lives in Mountain View and she and her son are Sunnyvale residences. The only person that's confused it you because you fail to comprehend.


Also, there are too many homeless near that Safeway already. Please do not provide incentive for them to camp out there and litter. They can go to Hope’s Corner where the google money is. I am not rich and I cannot afford moving out of the neighborhood which now just doesn’t look nice anymore.

Maybe if there were more people like this family in this pathetic world that we live in there wouldn't be so many homeless people. If you had a heart to give to the less fortunate maybe they would have place to stay. Don't you dare tell this family that was doing a deed of God not to help the homeless. What kind of human are you? Maybe you should move out of your home and give it to the homeless people to stay in and live on the street like them because there's not enough help [Portion removed due to disrespectful comment or offensive language] . Mountain View is only ugly because there are too many ugly selfish people that live there. It has nothing to do with the homeless. You're complaining about Google shut it down with that. Google helps so many people and you're getting upset with the company. [Portion removed due to disrespectful comment or offensive language]


"Pulling Out The White Card."

The police did what they were supposed to do, nothing out of the ordinary here. Seems like it was handled properly.

[Portion removed due to disrespectful comment or offensive language]
It was a race thing. If it was a white people do you really think Safeway would've called the cops??? Look at the number of reports out of 12 months 10 calls come on. I've seen so many "White Kids/White Adults" steal from this store and nothing was done. All because this family is "African American" they have the cops called on them for "NO REASON." This world makes me so sick I am tired of it. Every time I get online "a white person has accused a black person of doing this and that." I am mixed with white and I am so sad that my people have to be so ignorant. It's embarrassing and I truly hate it. It's time for this world to wake up because do you even see this world getting better because I don't Trump says "Make America White Again." White people need to wake up and stop being evil. That goes for all the races. There's not enough love in the world but there's so much hate that's destroying the world that God has put together. Sad.

Martin-Ware-Flemming family, I am so sorry that you all had to deal with that because it wasn't right. It's embarrassing, hurtful, and shameful for them to do that to you all. You guys are all beautiful and was doing the work of the Lord but was wrongfully accused. Keep helping those who don't have. God bless you all. Your deed will be blessed.

Not all kids at Mountain View schools live in Mountain View. Many actually are living in Sunnyvale. But I digress.....

Yikes, bad day?

MVPD operates on racial profiling. I was once screamed at from behind by them while walking down the side walk on Latham Street (the very street I live on) towards Shoreline Blvd to catch my company bus to work; and ordered to sit on the floor and asked to explain what I was doing in the very neighbourhood I live in. Apparently in MVPD's eyes I was a suspect because the only reason a brown Latino thug (the fact that I am in fact South Asian not withstanding) like me would be walking around in that neighbourhood is to break into the homes of the folks who unlike me belong there (presumably Caucasian and East Asian) and steal their property. Thank god I did not have my earphones plugged in that day or else who knows I may have been shot in the head from behind for not complying with police orders.

so what your all saying is the cops should never respond to calls ever? Because they were somehow supposed to know this was what it was before they actually got there? Got it.

I worship, pray and fellowship with this family every Tuesday and Sunday. They know God's word and keeps HIS commandments "Thou shalt not steal". Remember Martin-Ware family no weapons formed against thee shall prosper. God bless you and I love you all.

Seriously: First off the cops didn't have to detain her for that long or search her sister's car without knowing what to look for. This family was racially profiled had that been a white person no cops would have been called. My friend works there and she sees thefts almost on a daily and they don't call the police. So if this family really stole something, why didn't they leave after stealing the items? The people on here that are being negative towards this family are disgusting and seem to be racist themselves. We need to realize that this happens far to happen to African Americans and this needs to stop. I am friends with African Americans and it hurts me that they have to go through things like this. This world needs a little more Jesus and less hate

This has got to stop! Why does the police and Safeway have a different accounts of what happened? The families account matches the body camera. Cover up!Bless thus family!

There are a few comments on here are so negative and disrespectful especially the person who said Race Card, Seriously, and Neighbor [Portion removed due to disrespectful comment or offensive language]


Martin Family you guys are so beautiful and keep doing what you're doing. Ignore the negative BS that goes on in this awful world. [Portion removed due to disrespectful comment or offensive language]

My goodness this is so dum if any one knows the Martians they are the best family I've ever had the blessing to meet especially Erika and Faith .See I'm a 44 year old wife and mom who all of a sudden became terminally ill with no insurance my family has struggled because of my medical needs and no help from anyone especially the santa Clara services we were going without sometimes food or without being able to pay a bill when I meet them we talked like we knew each other for years I never felt so comfortable with anyone like that I cried we laughed had a great time but them who hardly knew us heard about us not having any food they came over to my home with so much food and drinks Erika even got me heath drinks till this day she will come running for me I've been blessed to have them in my life and belive me with there smarts the th have good jobs but even if they didnt they would never steal from anyone or any where .such a dam shame people lose out on great friends because of the color of there skin .im blessed to have them in my life and as friends I love the Martians and always will be greatful to them and God for them .

I am not against google, i am against the homeless camping out o. Front of safeway. Hope’s corner got a grant from google and has the necessary facilities; it would be much better to donate to them and have homeless people seek services from them, instead of encouraging them to sit in front of a grocery store. Their little “campsite” becomes littered and smells of urine. Haven’t any of you been to that safeway?
Thank you to the posters clarifying the name/residence confusion.

Five police cars? No wonder you can't get any response from the police when you need them in this town for boring things such as package and mail thefts or illegal parking. They clearly are just out to kick some butt whenever they get even the slightest chance.

... I blame Trump!

Neighbor "Homeless Campsite"

What did you learn from this article?

[Portion removed due to disrespectful comment or offensive language]

Nothing else really stuck out to you did it besides "Homeless Campsite." [Portion removed due to disrespectful comment or offensive language]
You don't care about that fact this family wasn't doing anything wrong, you don't care about the fact their children were accused, you don't care about the fact that this family took the time out of their precious day to go and help the needy, and you don't care that they thoughta African American male was also accused of shoplifting.

I'm a Caucasian male I shop at this Safeway Grocery store frequently. Mind you I hate this store. The lines are always long, the fruit goes bad pretty fast, Western Union machine is never working, etc... That's beside the point I could go inside of the store look suspicious and no one would ask any questions. If I were an African-American male walking inside of the store "All Eyes On Me" like Tupac says. This story should be an eye opener to people. Please, open up the eyes to see this is a "Race Thing."

We have to stand up to whats right. We all bleed the same blood but because we are of different ethnic background's that's where the issues lies people. Come On stop it please.

When I read this article I'm curious to why the employee didn't know what items were taken but, decided to call the authorities because she thought she may have saw someone taking items. I've seen people steal from different stores all the time. When an individual decides to shoplift, clearly they don't park their cars "In Front Of The Store" they don't "Sit in there cars" waiting for someone to see them. A person parks away from the entrance goes inside of the store, grabs exactly what they need and dash out of there. That didn't happen on this day.

This family was doing a good deed. I recently saw the video footage of this embarrassing event on Facebook. I was scrolling through video's on Facebook and there it was. I don't recall who filmed it but you could hear hoe terrified the children were. Safeway really all those cops. Did some steal a shopping basket full of items? I want to see yhe footage from Safeway's camera. I would love to watch all the shoplifeters take from this store and not be harassed, or have authorities come to the store. We have to do better as a community people.

Police Department, my goodness you should also feel ashamed because you searched a vehicle and clearly you had no idea what to look for. The Safeway employee "Didn't Know What Was Taken." You searched a vehicle, from what I seen on the video blocked this young woman and her son from leaving the establishment. Body camera footage wasn't matching up to your statement but families statement did matched body camera footage. Interesting!!!!!!

I'm at lost for words at this moment. @ Ms. May your comment about this family is awesome. You can see that this family goes to church and they were out doing the community some good. We don't have enough love in us to help the homeless but instead others look down upon them like they're scum of the Earth. Stop bashing them and help them. Where else can they go? The world is filthy because of the ignorance in the people. I hope this family gets a huge apology the employee that called the cops. Good luck and God bless your family.

@Seriously and the 11 others who apparently thought his/her comment deserved your support: NO! That is not what the good & sensible people commenting here are saying. Any level-headed, non-racist person has the good common-sense to know that sending 5 officers out on a shoplifting complaint is a waste of time, money and manpower and would ask why. The logical response, given the circumstances, is racism. One of the many problems here is that common-sense just ain't all that common anymore, as clearly evidenced by some of the ridiculously ignorant comments here. Good thing that ignorance is curable. Too bad there are so many who refuse to avail themselves of the cure.

@Seriously?

They can't respond to calls only if the calls are about people of color. However, they can respond if the calls are about people not of color. Get it?!

My heart goes out to this family, and especially the little boy who thought the police were called because he ate a free cookie from the bakery. Thank you for trying to help those who need it, and thank you for shining light on the ways that our community makes even acting kindly in public suspicious if you "don't look right".

You are welcome in my neighborhood any time, and so is the unnamed black man who may or may not have made eye contact with you who also did not steal anything.