Behind the Badge
Through the years, Pasadena Police Department’s Community Services Section has held a number of outreach events to connect the neighborhood with their police officers.
Whether it’s Curbside Coffee & Chat, which includes their Mobile Command Station, a Neighborhood Block Party or an early morning coffee klatch at Dunkin Doughnuts or Corner Bakery – Pasadena PD, has never shied away from new ways to promote its open door policy with the community.
On Thursday, February 13th the Pasadena Police Department set up at Urbane Café along South Lake Street and invited residents for its inaugural “Cookie with a Cop”. The new event included chocolate chip cookies, a myriad of Department swag, information on becoming a part of the Pasadena PD and a chance to get to know ones local law enforcement.
Members of the Pasadena Police Department mingle with local Pasadena residence during Cookie with a Cop in front of Urbane Cafe in Pasadena Thursday, February 13, 2020. (Photo by James Carbone)
Pasadena Police Officer Van Kim gives a cookie to a homeless man during Cookie with a Cop at Urbane Cafe in Pasadena Thursday, February 13, 2020. (Photo by James Carbone)
“It’s always great when a neighborhood business reaches out to us and asks if we want to come down for a special event,” said Sarah Presley, Community Services Officer for Pasadena PD. “We are always open for new ways – so, when Urbane Café contacted us and asked if we wanted to host an event here, we immediately said, when can we be there?”
The afternoon afternoon pick-me-up was a sweet way for newcomer Urbane Café, who opened in Pasadena a few years ago, to get to know the community.
“We’ve seen the Pasadena PD doing Coffee and a Cop at other spots and we were thinking of how we could host them here,” said Catering Sales Manager Paige Turpin from Urbane Café. “We don’t serve coffee here, but we do have cookies, so we thought let’s do it!”
Pasadena Police Department’s Community Outreach Unit promotes “on-site, direct and open communications” this includes holding regular community meetings and events such as the “Cookie with a Cop” to give residents one-on-one time with the law enforcement patrolling the streets.
Pasadena Police Officer Van Kim and Pasadena Police Commander Art Chute give cookies to children during Cookie with a Cop at Urbane Cafe in Pasadena Thursday, February 13, 2020. (Photo by James Carbone)
“What I love about events like “Cookies with A Cop” is that it highlights local businesses while our law enforcement can chat with any Regular Joe or Jane, like me,” said Krista Moll, who attended the event with her sister Sara Mitchell and niece Emmy. “No one is in their car or looking at their phone. Everyone is relaxed. I believe that any face-to-face communication is important, more so now than ever. Plus, who doesn’t like a little sugar in the afternoon!”
Benjamin Pack, 4, of Pasadena grabs a cookie and a Pasadena PD sticker during Cookie with a Cop at Urbane Cafe in Pasadena Thursday, February 13, 2020. (Photo by James Carbone)
Pasadena Police Officer Sarah Presley, left, and Pasadena Police Lieutenant Carolyn Gordon pose in front of the Pasadena PD’s “WE ARE HIRING” poster during Cookie with a Cop at Urbane Cafe in Pasadena Thursday, February 13, 2020. (Photo by James Carbone)
