COMMUNITY
Coffee with a Cop lets community members meet with police
The outreach initiative, which began in California, is marking its 15th year
As the global Coffee with a Cop initiative marks its 15th year, the Albuquerque Police Department hopes regular events will help build trust within the community.
Coffee with a Cop began in Hawthorne, California, in 2011, when the Hawthorne Police Department's Community Affairs Unit sought ways to increase its presence in the community. Since then, more than 15,000 Coffee with a Cop events have been held worldwide across all 50 states and in 40 countries.
APD's most recent event was Friday at the Krispy Kreme on Ellison NW, where attendees received free coffee and a glazed doughnut and had the opportunity to meet officers.
"Customers always bring up concerns to us, so I thought it was a great idea to get them to take those concerns to our local heroes in law enforcement," said Victoria Gutierrez, store manager of the Krispy Kreme on Ellison.
APD Crime Prevention Specialist Pete Gelabert said it was a good way to make the agency more approachable.
"A lot of times, people may not go to the police station, but if it's something like this where it's comfortable, then they say, 'Oh, this is what I'm seeing in my neighborhood,'" Gelabert said.
One attendee welcomed the chance to meet with public safety workers.
"My son loves officers, so it was a good thing to come to," said Bryanna, a local resident. "I think it's really good to be part of the community and for people to get to know them."
For law enforcement, regular events like these serve as a direct line to hear about community concerns that might otherwise go unaddressed.
"We encourage people to attend, talk to the officers if you have any concerns. We can help address your concerns," Gelabert said. "Bring your kids. They get to meet the officers, get comfortable and see the police cars."
For local businesses, Gutierrez said the events serve as advertising and a way to help make the area safer.
"We want to see crime rates go down and community engagement go up,鈥� she said, 鈥渨here people feel comfortable enough to sit down with law enforcement and bring their concerns to them."
APD's next Coffee with a Cop event is set for Thursday, July 23, from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at the Starbucks in Avanyu Plaza, 2400 12th NW, followed by one July 31 from 9 to 10 a.m. at the Golden Corral at 2701 Coors NW.
Peyton Jackson covers community news for the Journal. Reach her at pjackson@abqjournal.com.
