Another Successful "Coffee With A Cop" In The Books

IT WAS GOOD EVEN THOUGH...
Despite the fact that Mayor Steve Mensinger - who is suing the men and women of the Costa Mesa Police Department - showed up and stayed for an hour, the latest Coffee With A Cop event at the Starbucks store at Harbor and Wilson today went very well.

OTHER SENIOR STAFFERS
Not only did Mensinger grace us with his formidable presence, but CEO Tom Hatch, Assistant CEO Rick Francis and new Public Information Officer Tony Dodero also attended the event.  Councilwoman Katrina Foley showed up and visited with police, staff and residents.

MANY OF COSTA MESA'S FINEST
From the CMPD, Chief Rob Sharpnack, Captains Mark Manley and Bryan Glass, Lieutenant Vic Bakkila, Sergeant Clint Dieball, Community Service Specialist Kelly Vucinic and many other officers came and went, stopping to visit with residents.

RESIDENTS AND ACTIVISTS
Throughout the morning residents came and went, many stopping to chat with officers and to get a free cup of coffee.  I saw many familiar faces and many new ones - folks on their way for their morning cup of Joe who saw the police officers and stopped to visit.  Former City Council candidate and homelessness activist Tony Capitelli, who works for Congressman Dana Rohrabacher, also showed up to chat with the police and residents about homelessness.

RECRUITING
I saw young people, enthralled by the weaponry carried by the police officers, stop to ask questions.  We saw some disabled folks, including one disabled Marine, stop to say "Hello".

THE CHIEF IS OPTIMISTIC
We stood there as Chief Sharpnack told residents about all the exciting things happening in his department - new hires and new recruits in the pipeline; re-staffing the Detective Bureau and a new spirit of optimism.  It was good to hear.

JOSE TORRES
We had a chance to visit with long-time officer Jose Torres, now astride one of our new bicycles, who shared stories about this new adventure for the CMPD.

MIKE BRUMBAUGH
We had a chance to visit briefly with Code Enforcement Officer Mike Brumbaugh - shown below on the left - who recently lost a boss when Jerry Guarrancino abruptly left the employ of the city.  Brumbaugh will be part of the other Code Enforcement team now, but basically maintain the same assignments.

A CHUCKLE
I had to chuckle as I saw a CARE Ambulance team snuggle their rig in next to a CMPD vehicle.  CARE is at the core of controversy regarding our proper use of our brand new quarter million dollar rescue ambulances, but that's another story.

A VISIT TO WILSON PARK
On my way to Starbucks I stopped at Wilson Park, just a block East of the site, to see how many homeless/junkies/prostitutes were hanging out there.  Residents apparently have reported such activities, so we've locked the bathrooms and removed the picnic tables.  Instead of miscreants I found only Park Ranger Ann Harkey, on the job.  She and I visited about the situation in the park, which is better today than it was a month ago.  When I asked about the locked bathrooms she told me stories that made me cringe - stories about several people being seen emerging from the bathrooms following whatever illicit activities they had engaged in.  She told me about having the drains cleaned from the bathrooms and found them packed with drug residue - syringes, etc.  No, I wouldn't let a child use those bathrooms today.  When I left heading for Starbucks she also departed, leaving for a meeting, but was replaced with another Park Ranger, who was still there two hours later when I drove home.  There was still no sign of bad actors in the park.  See, a greater law enforcement presence CAN and DOES make a difference, despite with Mayor Pro Tem Jim Righeimer tells us.

KUDOS TO ALL
So, another good day for Coffee With A Cop.  I hope this series continues because it provides an excellent opportunity for residents to meet and chat with officers in a very casual setting.  Kudos to all.

"Coffee With A Cop" On Tuesday

A CHANCE TO MEET AND CHAT
On Tuesday, September 22, 2015, the Costa Mesa Police Department will hold another in their popular series of "Coffee With A Cop" events at the Starbucks store, 2300 Harbor Blvd.  That's on the corner of Harbor and Wilson.  This is a great chance to meet members of the CMPD in a very informal setting, chug some free coffee and to ask questions of them about law enforcement in our city.

NEAR WILSON PARK
In an interesting bit of timing, this location is just down the street from Wilson Park, the subject of much discussion over the past couple of weeks.  I'll be surprised if some of the local neighbors don't show up to hear the latest information about law enforcement efforts in the park and the surrounding neighborhoods.

FLYER AND MAP
Here's a flyer explaining about the event and a map showing the location.  Click on either to enlarge for easier viewing.  See you next Tuesday.

Another "Coffee With A Cop" Success

COFFEE WITH A COP - AT NIGHT!
Wednesday evening, from 5-7 p.m., several members of the Costa Mesa Police Department met with members of the public at Panera, on East 17th Street in an informal setting to just sip some free coffee and chat.

GOOD VENUE
The evening was cool, but the venue seemed just right as the front patio at the store provided an excellent opportunity to sit or stand and discuss issues with the officers.

GOOD TURNOUT, GREAT FOOD
My sweet and very patient wife and I attended this gathering and were there for most of the time before adjourning inside for a nice, light dinner.  We departed as the officers were wrapping it up and the residents  were making their way to the parking lot.  I didn't do an official headcount, but for the 90 minutes were on site I estimate at least three dozen people, including former council members Wendy Leece and Jay Humphrey, stopped to talk - probably more.

THE FIRST EVENING EVENT
This event was the most recent such opportunity residents have had to meet with members of the Costa Mesa Police Department in a casual setting to discuss important issues with them.  And, this is the first evening event, so most of the officers present had just gone off duty before arriving.  For most it was their first event.

THANKS...
Thanks to the men and women of the CMPD for taking the time to meet with those of us they've sworn to protect and serve.  We hope there will be more such events in the future.

(photo credit to Sue Lester)

TIP-A-COP THURSDAY NIGHT
And, speaking of "serving", Thursday night, April 9th, is the most recent "Tip-A-Cop" event at the Claim Jumper at 3333 Bristol Street from 5-9 p.m.  You can read the announcement about it below.  Here's another chance to have a meal served to you by some of Costa Mesa's finest and contribute to the Special Olympics, too.

Police Events Scheduled This Week

NOT YOUR "NORMAL" WEEK AHEAD

Following Easter Sunday the week ahead in Costa Mesa brings some of the normal stuff - council meetings, committee meetings and the like.  I've already written about the agenda for the City Council meeting on Tuesday, HERE, but this week is special for a couple other reasons.

COFFEE WITH A COP - IN THE EVENING!
Wednesday evening, from 5-7 p.m., residents have a chance to attend the next "Coffee With A Cop" event at the Panera store, 235 E. 17th Street.  This is the first evening event, so more of you may be able to carve out some time to drop in for a chat with some of our Costa Mesa Police Officers.  This site is near Staples just west of Orange Avenue.

 

THURSDAY "TIP-A-COP"

Then, the next evening, Thursday, April 9th, you have ANOTHER chance to meet with members of the Costa Mesa Police Department as they serve you at the fundraiser for Special Olympics at the Claim Jumper Restaurant and Saloon, 3333 Bristol Street, from 5-9 p.m.  

BAKER-TO-VEGAS!

And, while we're talking about the men and women of the Costa Mesa Police Department, kudos to the entire team who recently participated in the Baker-to-Vegas Challenge Cup Relay - one of the toughest athletic challenges any of them will ever face.  I'm proud to say that my best friend for more than 57 years, Larry Moore, created that grueling challenge 31 years ago with his partner on the job, Chuck Foote, and it remains on the calendar of thousands of men and women in law enforcement world-wide.  You can learn about it HERE.

 DISTRACTED DRIVING AWARENESS MONTH 

And, a little reminder from the CMPD.  Recently they distributed an announcement about April being "Distracted Driving Awareness Month".  Law enforcement organizations will be working on increased educational opportunities during this month.  Here's the text of that message.

Just to help you understand the problem, here's a little video that might drive home the point.  A viewing hint: If you're viewing this page on the Home Page and see the archive information cluttering up the image below, just slide your cursor over to the right side of the page and click on the title of this post before beginning the video.  It will take you to this page by itself, without the archive information intruding in the image.

So, be advised that every second you allow yourselves to be distracted while driving is one that could put the lives of yourselves and others in jeopardy.

Have a great week...

Coffee With A Cop And DUI Stops

ANOTHER SUCCESS...
Well, the latest installment of Coffee With A Cop was another success.  The good folks at Starbucks at 1170 Baker Street (which will soon be shuttered for renovations, according to posted signs) hosted the Costa Mesa Police Department and the good friends and neighbors who showed up for a free cup of java and conversation with a cop.

CHIEF RON LOWENBERG ATTENDED
A special treat this time was the presence of new Interim Police Chief Ron Lowenberg, who came early and stayed late and took the opportunity to meet members of the community and to swap tales from his long and illustrious career.  He made some new friends and rekindled some old ones, too.

GOOD TURNOUT
I didn't do a headcount - the number was fluid as folks came and went - but the turnout seemed to be fairly typical of previous events.  Among those officials who attended were Mesa Water Director Jim Fisler and Costa Mesa Councilwoman Katrina Foley.

SEVERAL OFFICERS PRESENT
A half-dozen officers were present for the two hours available - most off duty and serving on their own time to meet residents and answer questions.  Among them was Officer Kha Bao, our most highly decorated DUI enforcer, shown here greeting resident Mary Spadoni.

Officer Kris Cover engaged in an early recruitment effort in this image.

Captain Mark Manley shared stories with some of the regulars at this Starbucks, where they meet daily to solve the problems of the world.

Here Chief Lowenberg schmoozes with resident, and former council candidate, Tony Capitelli, resident Teri Fuqua and United Neighbors newsletter publisher Diane Hill.

DUI CHECKPOINT RESULTS
While we're talking cops, the most recent DUI/Driver's License Checkpoint last Friday night, February 13, 2015, was successful, too.  The event, which was in place at northbound Newport Boulevard at Flower Street from 8:00 p.m. - 2:00 a.m. showed the following results.


This activity, funded by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, continues to prove it's value as an effective educational tool and deterrent against drunk or impaired drivers.