LRPD answers students questions at coffee with a cop event

By Keyshawn Davis and Taylor LaBella, Sac City Express
Original article HERE

A box of cookies and containers of coffee were laid upon on a table in the cafeteria on a fall Monday as Los Rios Police Department officers stood ready to strike up a conversation with incoming students.

Coffee With a Cop event, held inside the City College cafeteria Oct. 21, gave a chance for students to speak directly to the police department about any questions or concerns. The event is held nationwide and is formed to encourage dialogue among officers and civilians outside of a crisis situation.

Los Rios Police Chief Larry Savidge was in attendance to answer questions and discuss a recent incident in which a student was detained by Sac P.D. on campus. No rave alert was sent to students about the incident.

“It’s important that we have a good reason to hit that,” says Savidge. “We don’t want to cause panic and create unnecessary hardship for people. With the incident, we didn’t have any evidence or any confirmation that a threat was legitimate. Once we validate and realize we have a legitimate threat, that is when we hit the rave alert. It’s important that we balance everyone’s safety with what we think is going on in the incident.”

Quinton Prengettsey, a current City College student, reflected on his positive encounter with the officers during Coffee With a Cop.

“I was actually pretty nervous when I started to speak to the officer, but as we started speaking, I started thinking more, started losing that nervousness, and now I feel a bit calmer and respectful of cops right now,” explained Prengettsey. “During more peaceful or neutral times, like right now, I would say it’s neutral to a good event.”

Kayla Platsis, psychology and criminal justice major, expressed her disappointment about how the event was set up but got a chance to ask the cops a few questions.

“I thought the event was going to be a lot different. It’s really disappointing,” said Platsis. “It could’ve been handled in a much different way. Even if it were a small event like this, if they just had a microphone, people could ask their independent questions. I hope they do this again and do it right. But it’s always good to have access to authority figures to get questions answered.”

Curtis Adams, a current day-shift officer on City College campus, reflected on the struggles of those in his profession and expressed his belief that each police encounter should be met with no stigma attached, encouraging positive communication between civilians and officers.

“With law enforcement right now, we just kind of get bundled into one,” said Adams. “I’m not going to lie. There are bad apples in every profession: law enforcement, teachers, doctors, you name it. Let’s have an open dialogue. Let’s just treat each other with respect, have an open mind with every contact, put the past in the past, and start working for the better.”