Just so you don’t get confused, I’m still in Columbus, but I wanted to share an experience I had a few months back in Euless, TX with Coffee with a Cop.
While running errands, I noticed there was a large crowd at the Starbucks on Airport Freeway, Euless, TX. There were police cars, smiling people and smiling cops holding coffee cups. I knew what it was. It was a Coffee with a Cop event!
I thought, “I’ve never been to one of these. Lemme go.”
I bought my potting soil, then drove over to Starbucks, only to find out that the event was closing in six minutes. Oops, there was no time to buy coffee, but I met one officer, Sergeant Rocky Fimbres, and he took the time to speak with me.
“I notice the sign says I can ask you a question.”
“Sure, what is your question?”
“Eddie Cantor once said, ‘When I see the Ten Most Wanted Lists…I always have this thought: If we’d made them feel wanted earlier, they wouldn’t be wanted now.’ My question is: what programs does the Euless Police Department have to help young people grow up to be upstanding citizens?”
Sergeant Fimbres outlined a number of programs that help young people see the police as allies. I have compiled this list:
Euless Police Summer Camp. Every year the police department holds two free week-long camps for children ages 10 to 12. I tried to register my son for this years ago, but the spaces were always full.
Visits at schools. Euless Police enjoy eating lunch or reading with elementary students. Junior high and high schoolers also get their time with the Euless police.
National Night Out. This is a neighborhood event to promote police/community partnerships and learn about violence and drug prevention while building neighborhood unity. Held in all 50 States, U.S. territories, and military bases worldwide the first Tuesday in August (Texas holds it the first Tuesday in October), the Police and Fire Departments invite all neighborhoods in Euless to meet in their neighborhood parks and join with the police and nation to “take a bite out of crime.” Neighborhood block parties, festivals, parades, cookouts and youth events are scheduled.
Public Safety Open Houses. The Euless Police and Fire Departments host open houses. Children can take a tour, climb in and out of police cars and fire trucks and ask questions about the facilities.
Years ago, officers used to hand out baseball size cards with their picture on them. It was cool! Now, however, the police department does not have any souvenirs to give to the public.
All young people need to feel loved and cared for. It isn’t just up to the police. All of us should show young people that we care and that there is a hope for the future.
