MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – Miami Gardens Police Chief Matthew Boyd defended his officers who have been accused of harassing employees and customers at a convenience store.
The owner of 207 Quick Stop, Alex Saleh, claims video shows officers harassing one of his employees and doing an illegal search behind the counter of the store. He filed a lawsuit against the city last week.
"It's a gathering spot where a lot of illegal activity is going on," said Boyd (pictured below). "When it comes out, we are within our legal rights to do what we had to do."
Since 2008, there have been nearly 600 arrests on the store's property. The lawsuit alleges the city and police department violated the civil rights of employees and customers.
"It's a quality of life issue," said Boyd. "We get a lot of complaints from that store. We had a homicide there, narcotic possession, open containers."
"I avoid it because I know what goes on there," said Stephen Foster, who lives a block away from the store.
Boyd said the department is conducting an internal investigation. One officer has since resigned.