Coffee With A Cop In Temecula With CHP, Sheriffs & Starbucks

TEMECULA, CA - Friday morning, California Highway Patrol headed to the Starbucks at Meadows and Rancho California Road for a cup of coffee and a spot of conversation.

Officers from the California Highway Patrol (CHP), Temecula Area office, Temecula Police Department and community members came together in an informal, neutral space to discuss community issues, have coffee, and build relationships.

The event ran from 7 A.M. to 10 A.M. on Friday morning.

Coffee with a Cop provides a unique opportunity for community members to ask questions and learn more about the Department’s work in Temecula, Lake Elsinore and surrounding unincorporated areas.

"The majority of contacts law enforcement has with the public happen during emergencies or emotional situations," Officer Mike Lassig who organized the event said. "Those situations are not always the most effective times for relationship building with the community, and some community members may feel officers are unapproachable on the street."

Coffee with a Cop breaks down barriers and allows for a relaxed, one-on-one interaction between officers and the public.

“We hope community members will welcome the opportunity to ask questions, bring concerns forward, or simply get to know our officers,” said CHP Captain Jason Penner, Commander of the CHP, Temecula Area. “These interactions are the foundation of community partnerships.”

Coffee with a Cop is a national initiative supported by the United States Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services. Similar events are being held across the country as local police departments strive to make lasting connections with the communities they serve.

The program aims to advance the practice of community policing through improving relationships between police officers and community members one cup of coffee at a time.

The day's event coincided with the grand opening of the Temecula Crumbl Cookies store.

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