Citrus College Campus Safety, Glendora Police and Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department representatives hosted “Coffee with a Cop” on April 2 in the Campus Center Mall.
The law enforcement personnel set up free coffee and cookies and talked about cop matters with anyone passing.
Campus Safety Supervisor Ben Macias said he hoped the event engaged community members.
“For us, it’s just an outreach for our students – to keep that open line of communication with our students,” Macias said. “People see a uniform and get intimidated by it or think we are unapproachable, but after they talk to us, they realize we’re humans just like everybody else.”
Macias said many students signed up for the Citrus Guardian app after speaking with him and other campus officers at the outreach event. He said his division will begin sending a quarterly campus newsletter in addition to timely warnings sent after violent crimes.
Glendora Police Cpl. Tim Crawford said his department hosts four “Coffee with a Cop” events per year. He said his department is also hiring police. Glendora police trainees’ starting salary in $45,774. After completing six months at a police academy, applicants receive pay increases.
Crawford said Glendora is a desirable community for police to serve because the city’s low rate of violent crime..
“We have seen a steady level of property crime related to narcotics,” Crawford said. “Not so much vehicle break-ins, as unlocked doors.”
Sheriff’s Deputy George Olmos set up a booth to recruit deputies for the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. Olmos said his department needs to hire 1,000 deputies across the county. Sheriff’s deputies’ starting annual pay is $66,072 without a degree.
“As long as you can pass the academy and perform your duties, that’s what we’re looking for,” Olmos said.
Crawford responded to a Glendora resident who commended the Glendora Police for their honesty.
“If a police officer is wrong, I’m the first person that wants them held accountable,” Crawford said.
