National City police officers last week met with the National City community over a Cup of Joe for National Coffee With a Cop Day.
When officers, who volunteered to participate, arrived at the scene they received assistance from several customers in setting up tables, chairs and a display sign. These patrons did not sit down to talk with the cops but just simply wanted to help them set up.
But National City resident Damian Gomez, 40, a martial arts instructor, showed up to Starbucks to order his white chocolate drink. He did not know he would be meeting with National City’s finest.
“I don’t have any questions,” he told Sgt. Chris Sullivan. “The reason I wanted to come over here is just to thank you guys for your service and everything you guys do in your daily job.”
Sullivan replied: “Thank You. I appreciate that.”
After this brief introduction the two men sat and chatted with coffee in their hands for nearly 30 minutes. Their discussion ranged from creating programs to helping youth, and the lack of respect for authority these days.
“I think it is an excellent idea,” Gomez said about the event. “We have access to an officer here were we can actually sit-down and relax in a comfortable setting and be able to converse casually.”
Gomez, a 40 year-old Mexican man, said in the past he felt he has been racially profiled by National City police officers as they pulled him over several years ago just to ask if his car was stolen or to ask if he had any warrants.
“But I didn’t have a problem with it,” he said about being allegedly profiled. “I don’t have a problem when they profile people because they are doing their job [in keeping the community safe].
Despite this, Gomez said he was respectful to the cops and in turn they were respectful to him. He said respecting authority can work in one’s favor.
National Resident Vianey Garcia, 32, also showed up to Starbucks not knowing she was going to encounter the police.
She said Coffee With A Cop is a good way to improve the police and community relationships.
“I think it is really good that the neighborhood or the community and the cops to be involved with issues that matter.
Garcia spoke with Sullivan regarding issues in her neighborhood such as theft of recycled cans on her property and whether or not an RV is allowed to remained park in her neighbor’s driveway.
Sullivan said he enjoys sitting down and hearing what the National City community has to say.
“By doing a majority of these programs and these events that we have it is about engaging the community in a way that they may not be used to. For example, when was the last time an officer just walked up to you and said ‘Hey, how are you doing today? Tell me what’s going on in your life,” he said.
“Anybody that we’re talking to today is like ‘Wow, this is a great program you guys are asking us what’s going on.’ It opens the door for them to communicate with us and gives them that networking that they need.”
The National City Police Department hosted a similar event on their own in April and received a good turnout and positive response, Sullivan said.
Sullivan said as a result of the positive feedback, the department wanted to hold this event again to coincide with National Coffee With A Cop Day where agencies nationwide have participated in an effort to increase community relations.
Throughout the event, cops who had downtime from their beat trickled in for a few minutes to have a cup of coffee with guests. Once they received an important call they left to attend to matter.
During the event, a young girl barely learning how to walk with the guidance of her mother approached Sgt. Ryan Stinnett and shook his hand.
In return, she received a National City Police Department sticker.
The Chula Vista Police Department hosted their Coffee With A Cop event on Sept. 27 at the Hometown Buffet at 651 Palomar St.
