Officers from the Morgan Hill Police Department will host a new “Coffee with a Cop” event beginning at 8:30 a.m. Sept. 23 at Starbucks Coffeehouse in Vineyard Town Center.
The program offers an opportunity for residents to meet local officers and discuss community issues as well as build positive relationships in an informal, neutral space, according to the MHPD announcement.
“We hope that community members will feel comfortable to ask questions, bring concerns, or simply get to know our officers,” Police Chief David Swing said. “These interactions are the foundation of community partnerships.”
All community members are invited to attend.
“The majority of contacts law enforcement has with the public happen during emergencies, or emotional situations,” the MHPD release reads. “Those situations are not always the most effective times for relationship building with the community, and some community members may feel that officers are unapproachable on the street. ‘Coffee with a Cop’ breaks down barriers and allows for a relaxed, one-on-one interaction.”
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 county, 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.
Please contact Sgt. Bill Norman with questions at (408) 779-2101 or at
bi*********@mo********.gov
.
Parent Project registration under way
School Resource Officer Jeff Brandon will lead another session of the Parent Project starting Sept. 28 and running through Dec. 13.
The 12-week program, offered one day per week from 6-9 p.m., was created specifically for parents with difficult or out-of-control adolescents. Parents learn and practice specific prevention and intervention strategies for destructive behaviors, including:
•Learn to never argue with your child
•Improve school attendance and performance
•Prevent alcohol and drug abuse
•Stop gang involvement
The program, which costs $50 per parent and $75 per couple, is a collaboration among the District Attorney’s Office, the city of Morgan Hill, Morgan Hill Police, Morgan Hill Unified School District and other community organizations.
For more information, contact Officer Brandon at (408) 779-2101 or
Je**********@mo********.gov
.
