The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office will stage Coffee with a Cop from 8-9:30 a.m. on Friday (Aug. 17) at Moreno Bakery, 737 W Brandon Blvd.
Attendees can join neighbors and other residents to meet their local sheriff deputies for coffee and conversation. There are no agendas or speeches. This event just offers residents in the area a chance to chat and get to know the deputies patrolling the neighborhood.
The office regularly holds Coffee with a Cop. It aims to get officers in front of residents in the area, according to Danny Alvarez, chief communications officer with HCSO.
"Normally when residents see an officer, it's inside a patrol car driving to and from scenes," Alvarez said. "This is a way to get [officers] out of the car and in front of people."
Residents stop in to greet officers, express concerns or issues they see with HCSO or in the community, and have a chance to tell them what they are doing right.
Officers from the district will attend. Alvarez said HCSO receives feedback from online resources and over the phone, but nothing beats a one on one conversation.
"It's helpful for residents to see that these are people behind the badge," Alvarez said. "This man or woman in uniform may live in the area too and is a fellow neighbor and person in the community. For residents to see that, it creates a good community environment."