Philly Barber 'Confused' After Cop Allegedly Orders Him To Stop Giving Free Haircuts To The Homeless

Philadelphia police are getting some bad buzz after allegedly demanding a local barber stop giving free haircuts to homeless people at his outdoor shop.
Barber Brennon Jones claimed he was cutting hair in Center City on April 10 when a Philly police officer approached his pop-up shop and told him to “shut down immediately.”
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The 30-year-old told People he was “upset” and “confused” by the order as the officer apparently failed to give him the reason why he needed to stop his “initiative” and pack up his clippers. He explained:

“I told him I wouldn’t shut down until I got more information… The whole initiative is built around the homeless. I don’t just give them haircuts — I feed them, I clothe them and provide them with toiletries as well.”

Jones first launched his Haircut 4 the Homeless project in 2017, when he made headlines for pledging to service the city’s homeless population outside on the city sidewalks. After the project garnered praise from Mayor Jim Kenny, Philadelphia City Hall gave Jones permission to set up his shop-less barber shop on city streets.
Taking all that into consideration, the benevolent barber said he was stunned when the officer told him to shut down his operation. You can see how upset he was in the now-viral video footage of the incident (below):

Philadelphia Police trying to shut down a black man giving free haircuts to the homeless.

THIS IS INFURIATING. THIS IS SO OUTRAGEOUS.

Retweet! pic.twitter.com/LepIyzPNIm

— StanceGrounded (@_SJPeace_) April 14, 2019

Jones admitted to People that, despite being “a little fearful” of what might happen, he stood his ground and refused to pack up. The officer ultimately allowed the barber to keep his shop running, but told him to make sure that he cleans up any hair left behind.
While Jones claims he never got an explanation from authorities as to why the officer approached him, Philly police insisted that the officer told Jones to “cease due to complaints from businesses about loose hair on the street.”
In a statement to People, a rep added:

“Barber was not shut down, not cited, not moved.”

But Jones isn’t buying the police’s it-was-a-hairy-situation excuse.
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He argued that there aren’t any businesses close enough to his corner on 8th and Market streets — the spot he sets up at twice a month — and he has a helper to clean up after he gives the cuts.
He also insisted that he officer never actually told him that complaints were received, adding:

“I feel as though that may have just been their excuse to clear their name. [The officer] didn’t say they’d receive any complaints, he didn’t say there was hair blowing, he just said, ‘You have to shut down immediately.'”

In addition to his impromptu shop, Jones cuts hair around the city every day from about 11 a.m. until sunset. But now, he’s not sure whether he’ll have to deal with another run-in with the fuzz.
We hope not, for the department’s sake. Not only is Jones using his time and talent for an incredibly wonderful cause, the city of Philly has given him full permission to do it! So, any more attempts to stop him would be an incredibly bad look for police.

A few loose hairs on the street won’t kill anyone.

[Image via Twitter]