VPD Officers and residents enjoy coffee, conversation at Sandbox Coffeehouse.

by Jared Brewer

On Thursday, June 29, the Ventura Police Department hosted Coffee with a Cop at Sandbox Coffeehouse from 9:00 until 11:00 a.m. in an effort to create a friendly, informal environment for officers and residents alike to discuss community issues, forge relationships, and enjoy a good cup of coffee together.

However, the VPD is not alone in hosting such events; Coffee with a Cop is a nationwide initiative supported by the United States Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services, with similar events being held all across the country. As a whole, the program aims to advance the practice of community policing by improving the overall relationships between police officers and community members.

Corporal Al Gomez, who has been with the Ventura Police Department for 17 years, is a long-time proponent of bridging the divide between citizens and police officers. And five years ago, he helped organize Curbside Coffee and Chat, which sends school resource officers to every elementary and middle school throughout the Ventura Unified School District. Though he no longer supervises the program, Gomez underscored the continued importance of facilitating positive police-community relations: “Events like Curbside Coffee and Chat or Coffee with a Cop provide avenues for us to talk to the community and show them that we care and want to help them with whatever problems they have. Sometimes it may not seem that way, but ultimately that’s our goal.”

Because the majority of contacts between the police and the public occur during emergencies or high-stress situations, opportunities to establish rapports, ask questions, or simply learn more about the department’s services, are often limited. “Unfortunately, most people in the community only see us when they are involved with a minor crime or are victims of some kind,” said Officer Trenner Marchetti. “The reality is that we are usually there because we have to be, not because we or anyone else wants us to be. Coffee with a Cop creates a low-stress environment for us, as officers, to be able to get to know the community and show them that there’s a different side to us.” Marchetti has been with the VPD for 12 years and is currently working as a part of the Major Crimes Unit.

Several community members present cited increased approachability as a primary reason to attend Coffee with a Cop. “It takes a little bit of the fear out of meeting with police officers,” said Myriah Gonzales, outreach coordinator with the Coalition for Family Harmony and crisis advocate at California State University, Channel Islands. “They’re carrying guns, they have the uniforms on, and that’s often scary to people. So to meet them in a casual place—and be able to put faces and names to people that might be helping them—that’s the importance for the community.”

Emily Wisma, herself an aspiring police officer, lamented current public opinion of the police: “Police officers are peace officers,” she said. “They’re here to help us and to keep the community safe. And I think a lot of them really need us to understand that right now because they’re being portrayed so negatively in the media. They’re here for our safety, not to beat us or arrest us.”

For more information, or to request Coffee with a Cop at your business, please email [email protected] or call 339-4317.

CAPS Radio’s Open House with Evan Carpenter sharing the KPPQ studio with the crowd.

CAPS Radio brought together producers, disc jockeys and those interested in radio together last week for an open house. It was a pleasure to visit with over two dozen people passionate about radio. Thanks to all those who shared their stories. This is what CAPS Media is all about, sharing stories. Listen to KPPQ-LP 104.1fm as you’re driving to work, around town or at home and hear programming from locals as well as committed grass roots radio across the country. Go to the radio page on the CAPS Media Center ‘s website for information. Community support is welcome in any way. Let us know what you think, what you like and what you want to hear on CAPS Radio KPPQ-LP at 104.1FM.

The ECTV students are taking their well-earned break from school but not from their projects at CAPS. It’s great to see them supporting each other and other members with their projects and fine tuning their skills. There are still spaces available for our Digital Storytelling classes beginning July 17^th. Call or come by.

Once again, we are out there covering the Chamber’s Economic Breakfast and sharing the interesting and thought provoking issues affecting the community. Check the schedule for broadcast dates and times. City meetings are ongoing and we continue coverage weekly. Tune in to channel 15 for Ventura’s important meetings.

Summer is a great time to come by the CAPS Media Center with family and friends to learn about why we are here, what we do and how we can support you in obtaining the skills to produce your own show. It’s been said before that we are one of Ventura’s hidden gems. Those who live, work or attend school in the city of Ventura are eligible to become a member. Non-profit organizations are invited to join too.

For annual fees of only $25 (individual) and $75 (non-profit organization), member/producers are trained by the knowledgeable CAPS Media staff in the art and fun of media communication. Once certified, member/producers may check out video cameras, tripods, and other gear for video production and book editing suites for postproduction to create the stories they want to tell.

Go to www.capsmedia.org to see a schedule of upcoming training classes and programs on Channel 6 & 15, search the archives for past programs, get info on upcoming video and radio classes and much more.