A Starbucks located in Los Angeles, California, is currently under fire by local authorities after a barista drew a pig on a sheriff’s deputy’s coffee cup. Following significant backlash, two employees have since been fired.
KTLA News reported the news of the swine controversy, detailing that the incident occurred on Friday, January 9. The deputy in question, from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LACSD), had stopped at the local coffee shop following a 16-hour shift.
When handed his coffee cup, however, the unnamed deputy found a hand-drawn hog. In a private social media post obtained by the outlet, the deputy said that it “felt discouraging and disrespectful, especially after a long day of serving the community.”
“All I wanted was caffeine, but instead I left feeling uneasy,” the California deputy added.
Two days following the coffee incident, the LACSD issued a statement expressing its concern. The Department explained that the pig drawing demeaned law enforcement and labeled the action “extremely offensive, inappropriate, and unacceptable.“
KTXL, however, spoke with Starbucks spokesperson Jaci Anderson, who said that it had been a misunderstanding. According to Anderson, the barista’s drawing was a reference to John Pork, a popular meme. She added that it had been drawn before the deputy set foot in the coffee shop.
Starbucks Baristas Fired
Still, the Los Angeles County Sheriff spoke with Starbucks’ company security division to “raise concerns and to ensure accountability.” In an update, KTLA confirmed that at least two Starbucks employees had been fired as a result.
Anderson, despite the explanation, called the action unacceptable. She also stated that Starbucks has a “deep appreciation and respect for law enforcement,” and that “every customer should always be made to feel welcome in our stores.”
Users online, as one might expect, called the LACSD’s reaction an exaggeration, many posting the John Pork meme online.
“Another artist criticized for their work,” one user said. Another wrote, “Barista deserves a raise.” A third one added, “How dare they associate themselves with John Pork?“
Whether it was intentional or not, it is safe to say that the California deputy will not be visiting that Starbucks any time soon.
