Coffee, Cupcakes and Conversation with a Cop in Carpinteria

The next one will be held on Tuesday, March 19th from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Crushcakes and Café located at 4945 Carpinteria Avenue. The public is invited to grab a cup of coffee, and a cupcake, and chat with one of several Sheriff’s Deputies that serve their community. There is no agenda, no guest speaker and no power point presentation, just coffee and conversation.

The idea behind the “Coffee with a Cop” program is to provide residents with an informal setting to meet Deputies that work in their neighborhoods and talk about their concerns. “Coffee with a Cop dovetails perfectly with our agency’s community policing philosophy and approach,” said Sheriff Bill Brown. “Peace officers and members of the community must work together if we are to meaningfully address the problems of crime, fear of crime, neighborhood decay and quality of life issues.” Lt. Kelly Moore, who saw the success other law enforcement agencies were having with “Coffee with a Cop” events, wanted to bring the program to Carpinteria. Lt. Moore said, “We want this to be a non-threatening and engaging event. Our hope is that we can break down barriers, build lasting relationships and familiarize the public with people who are there to protect and serve them.”

The Hawthorne Police Department was the first law enforcement agency to start “Coffee with a Cop” four years ago and since then other departments across the country have followed its lead including the Santa Barbara Police Department. In the future, the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office hopes to bring the coffee events to other communities within the County.

There are three additional dates scheduled for “Coffee with a Cop” at different locations in Carpinteria.

*4/16 Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. *5/23 Starbucks from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

*6/17 Jack’s Bistro and Famous Bagel from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.