CHP holds ‘Coffee with a Cop’ event in Arroyo Grande to discuss issues, build stronger community relationships
ARROYO GRANDE, Calif. - The California Highway Patrol (CHP) San Luis Obispo office held a Coffee with a Cop gathering on Tuesday in an effort to help build stronger relationships with members of the public.
The Coffee with a Cop program is national initiative supported by the United States Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services.
The event provides law enforcement and the public with an opportunity to meet one-on-one in a relaxed, comfortable environment where they can engage in meaningful and constructive conversations.
"We're here trying to have positive interactions with the community and encouraging communication between the Highway Patrol and the public," said Officer Angela Molinar, CHP Public Information Officer. "We have staff come out and we interact with the public. We want to say hello and show that we're people also."
During these interactions, officers are able to foster improved relationships with community members, while also listening to helpful suggestions, comments, and concerns.
"It is very important to have a positive relationship with the people that we serve," Jordan Richards, CHP Coastal Division Public Information Officer. "We want to make sure that we understand their concerns, and we also want to make sure that they understand what we have to do and what we're doing out on the road to provide the highest level of safety, service and security."
CHP points out most interactions the public has with its officers comes during emergency incidents or other high stress situations, like receiving a ticket, so Coffee with the Cop allows for a much more positive experience.
"More often than not, when someone meets the CHP officer, it's in a situation where they're not wanting to meet us," said Richards. "Having Coffee with a Cop, it's a calm situation. We're here just to talk and converse while drinking coffee in a relaxed area, not on the 101 freeway, or maybe they got stopped for speeding or involved in a traffic collision. We're actually calm and cool and we can have a real sit down conversation and address their concerns."
Tuesday's Coffee with a Cop was held place at Red Dirt Coffee House, located in the Five Cities Center, next to Walmart.
Molinar pointed the program has been dormant for a few years, but now has been restarted and plans are in the works to make this a regular event.
"We're probably going to do one a quarter, and we may see joining with other agencies and pick up various locations throughout San Luis Obispo County," said Molinar. "People can come from different areas and say hello."
