Local business owner raises concerns about police follow-up and a subpoena for security footage

A Lincoln pharmacist told the City Council on April 28 that repeated calls for police assistance at his store produced little follow-up and that a later police subpoena seeking security-camera footage raised legal and procedural concerns.

Pharmacist Fahim Rasheedi said his store has called police several times over the past six months for incidents including an assault, shoplifting and a public-urination complaint; he said officers arrived on scene at times but he did not receive subsequent contact or case follow-up. Rasheedi said employees, some of whom are minors, were left shaken after encounters and that supervisors told him they would follow up but did not do so.

He also described receiving a subpoena for camera footage in a matter that he said includes patient information. Rasheedi said he declined to provide footage immediately because of patient-privacy concerns (HIPAA), and that he was unsure why the subpoena was issued and why legal channels had not provided more information before service of the subpoena. He said he had attempted to reach police legal staff about the subpoena and was not satisfied by their responses.

Rasheedi framed his remarks as a request for better communication and clearer processes for business owners who are asked to produce footage or information in criminal matters. He said he intends to comply with lawful subpoenas but asked for police to improve the way they coordinate and explain requests to affected businesses. The council did not take formal action; the matter was entered into the public record.

Provenance: Rasheedi’s comments and description of the subpoena and past response issues are on the meeting transcript in the public-comment period beginning at roughly 6926 seconds.