BBQ Owner Regrets 'Suck-Start Pistol' Comment to Police

Detroit BBQ Co. owner Tim Idzikowski says he shouldn’t have made social media comments about police officers who were gunned down in New York City. The controversial posts are now costing him business. (Screenshot: WXYZ video)

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A public relations company is giving one of the owners of a Detroit barbecue stalwart a lesson in Social Media 101:

The Internet is forever. Once you post, you can never completely take it back. The way it gathers hashtags, search terms and third-party referrals, it’s like the herpes of the Internet. It never goes away.

And, mercy, would Tim Idzikowski, co-owner for the past five years of Detroit BBQ Co., like to take back what he said after two New York City police officers were gunned down in retaliation for police shootings of an unarmed black man there.

“I can see how the comments I made can be viewed in a negative light,” he told WXYZ-TV of the kerfuffle that resulted with Detroit police officers and, well, just about everyone else who saw or heard about the posts.

Here’s some of what the public relations company Idzikowski hired is trying to undo:

“How many times did they think they were going to kick the hornet’s nest before they got stung? These guys ‘can’t breathe’ now either.”

And then there’s this one:

“2 cops get killed and it’s a (expletive) tragedy but you guys can run around killing people without fear of any reprisals because of your (expletive) badge and it’s business as usual?”

And this one:

“Why don’t you try suck-starting your service pistol.”

Police: First Amendment Cuts Both Ways

Idzikowski told The Detroit News he has received more than 20 death threats on his voicemail after he claims a police officer posted his number online. Police Chief James Craig said that if Idzkowski “feels threatened, he can make out a police report and we’ll look into it.” Idzikowski said he’s talking to an attorney and may file harassment charges.

Some clients of the restaurant’s catering business, which has bookings for high-profile events and operates a food truck downtown, are threatening a boycott. So are police officers.

“This guy is well within his right to say what he wants, since this is America, and we have free speech,” said Mark Diaz, president of the Detroit Police Officers Association, which called for a boycott. “But we’re also within our rights to say we don’t want to spend our money at his place of business.”

Threats of the boycotts prompted Idzikowski to try a little harder to eat his words.

In a statement issued Monday, he said:

“I want to express my deepest condolences and apology to the families of the fallen New York City Police Officers – senselessly killed last week; and the entire police community of officers who faithfully serve and protect in New York City, in Detroit and across our communities. The recent online comments on my personal Facebook page were initially made out of frustration – after seeing recent developments unfold regarding the Eric Garner incident in New York City.

“In no way do I believe or condone violence against Police Officers in New York City, Detroit or anywhere else. I was trying to express a thought questioning at what lengths could the growing negative sentiment between some communities and the police continue before seeing more violence.

“I regret and apologize for the insensitive manner in which my comments appeared on Facebook. It was a momentary lapse in judgment and in poor taste. I have the utmost respect for the men and women who put their lives on the line to protect citizens such as me.”

Brewery Severs Ties

There’s a lot at stake for Idzikowski – and for Detroit BBQ’s partnering companies.

Fans seem to be supporting the suggested boycotts. Kuhnhenn Brewing Co., which regularly hosts Detroit BBQ at its Warren bar and brewery, said in a statement released on Facebook:

“Dear fans and supporters. Detroit BBQ Company will not be providing food here onsite at the brewery for the time being. Please remember that we are businesses independent of one another. Beyond that, we have no official statement at this time. Thank you for your understanding.”

The post was shared hundreds of times and garnered dozens of mostly positive comments supporting uniformed police officers in Detroit and across the country.