Darren Martin filmed himself on Instagram after he was questioned by several NYPD cops when a neighbor called 911 on Friday night because they thought he was breaking into his own apartment
A black former Obama administration staffer had the police called on him for being a suspected armed burglar while he was moving into his New York apartment.
Darren Martin was moving into his new five-floor walkup on the Upper West Side late on Friday night when one of his new neighbors reported him to police for trying to break into his own apartment.
Martin, who was moving back to the city after several years working for President Obama in Washington DC, said the 911 caller had told police he was suspected of breaking in through the roof and had a ‘large’ weapon.
He documented his encounter with police on an Instagram live video as at least six officers – some plain-clothed – searched his apartment and questioned him and his friend.
‘Somebody called the cops on me in my own building,’ he said in the livestream.
Martin said he noticed police arriving about halfway through the move while he was standing in the lobby collecting some of his valuables.
He said they demanded to be let in the building but didn’t listen when he told them he lived there and was moving in.
His video showed police refusing to let him leave the lobby until officers had investigated the robbery reports.
He documented his encounter with police (pictured right) on an Instagram live video as at least six officers – some plain-clothed – searched his apartment and questioned him
Martin, who was moving back to New York after several years working for President Obama in Washington DC, said the 911 caller told police he was suspected of breaking in through the roof and had a ‘large’ weapon
Martin filmed himself surrounded by boxes in the apartment building.
Police eventually determined that Martin wasn’t engaged in any criminal activity.
He took to Twitter soon after saying he wasn’t entirely surprised by the ordeal.
‘There are fewer moments less dignifying, than at the scene when the police and witnesses assess you to determine if you committed this crime or perceived crime – when you know you didn’t. Hey, you already fit the profile so that’s half their battle,’ Martin said.
‘I was blessed enough to be released and not become a hashtag. This was a tame encounter compared to others I’ve been in and witnessed.
‘But the next and lingering pit in my stomach came from how my my neighbors viewed me. How they officially welcomed me into the building. Call the police on this Black man who DEFINITELY doesn’t live here. The man who worked for President Obama and now serves his fellow New Yorkers.
‘Yeah, him. I gotta say, moving up a 5th floor walk up is tough, but each of those 100 plus steps becomes increasingly grueling with the thought that you’re feared or just not wanted in the building. I guess next time I’ll wear a suit. #MovingWhileBlack.’
Martin filmed himself surrounded by boxes in the apartment building as police refused to let him leave the lobby until officers had investigated the robbery reports
Martin said he noticed police arriving about halfway through the move while he was standing in the lobby of his new five-floor walkup on the Upper West Side (pictured above)
Martin said he had initially planned to move in the daylight but got held up with work and had to do it at 11pm. He said he unexpectedly found himself recording a ‘very unfortunate circumstance’.
‘I lie when I say “unexpectedly.” I partly expected this once I added up all the factors: I’m a Black man, late at night, moving valuables around in a gentrifying neighborhood. See, this checklist is something.
‘Black men find themselves reviewing in a host of scenarios. “I should stay far away from this woman on this dark street clutching her purse”. “It’s casual Friday, but should I wear a suit so they know I’m part of the meeting?” “The Pokemon in that guy’s yard may not be worth it”.’
Martin had worked in Obama’s administration for about five years advising senior White House officials and the President on legislative affairs.
He most recently worked for the US House of Representatives as a legislative associate before making the move back to his native New York to continue his public service career.
Martin currently works as the special assistant to the Commissioner at NYC Department of Social Services.
