“Steve, your latte is prepared!” a barista yelled over the symphony of mixing machines and other people speaking in little teams close to the doorway of the espresso store. One man who was carrying his little one smiled at Group Engagement Coordinator Tabatha Shoemake and mentioned, “Thanks to your service” earlier than he headed out the door.
It was extra packed than a typical morning at Woods Espresso on Freeway 99 as a result of the Edmonds Police Division hosted their second Espresso With A Cop occasion from 10 a.m. to midday.
Just like the first one at Cafe Louvre in downtown Edmonds final month, native residents sipped espresso with greater than a dozen law enforcement officials to debate issues within the neighborhood, notably alongside Freeway 99. Whereas a number of the points are site visitors associated, like dashing on 220th Road Southwest and eightieth Avenue West, some residents informed the officers about “suspicious behaviors” close to their properties alongside the freeway.
Sgt. Jason Robinson talked about that there are extra issues about narcotics close to Freeway 99, however there’s “nothing concrete” as a result of nobody really witnessed a drug deal happening.
Shoemake, who began the Espresso With A Cop occasions in Edmonds, mentioned that the second occasion had turnout like the primary one. Even some residents from downtown traveled to Woods Espresso to talk to the officers.
Nevertheless, Cpl. Dietrich Borst mentioned that many of the attendees have been the identical residents who went to the final one. It might be as a result of most “youthful, working folks” should not out there to fulfill in mid-morning, he mentioned. Borst added that they want extra multilingual officers and employees since Edmonds has a big inhabitants of Hispanic and Korean residents.
Espresso With A Cop was began in Hawthorne, Calif., in 2011 by the Hawthorne Police Division. Since then, not solely has the motion unfold throughout all 50 U.S. states and elements of Canada, different police departments in 15 international locations — together with South Africa, Romania, Chile, and Singapore — additionally participated. There are not any speeches or agenda; folks simply present up, have a drink, and chat with law enforcement officials.
Whereas the purpose is to construct higher belief and transparency between the police and communities, the Edmonds Police Division began Espresso With A Cop to encourage residents to be extra concerned with their neighborhood—particularly because the COVID-19 pandemic wanes.
“Folks have been glad that we have been doing it, and I felt plenty of help from this division,” Shoemake mentioned. “Woods Espresso was [good] with it and had no points with it by any means. It’s great to be partnering with the companies.”
Whereas Shoemaker didn’t say the place or when the subsequent Espresso With A Cop might be, she mentioned that there might be one at one other location in Edmonds in late September. Observe Edmonds Police Division for upcoming occasions on Instagram and Fb.
— Story and pictures by Nick Ng