The University of Houston Police Department held its monthly Coffee With a Cop event a week before Coogs head out for Spring Break. The timing was on purpose as UHPD wanted to connect with students and provide them with a few important safety tips.
Amidst sharing coffee and cookies, Amir Watkins, UHPD Crime Prevention Officer, spoke with students and passed out booklets on drinking and driving laws. Watkins also shared the following general spring break safety tips with Coogs.
- Be aware of your surroundings
- Never drink and drive
- Always buckle up
- Look out for friends and make smart choices
The monthly Coffee With a Cop events by UHPD are held to foster an open communication with Coogs over coffee and pastries. The monthly events also provide UHPD the opportunity to educate the campus community on the services it offers with Watkins calling it a big aspect of the event.
“We want them to know we’re here,” Watkins said. “Many students don’t realize we do this [Coffee With a Cop] and are surprised and happy when they see us here.”
While the conversations UHPD has with students at Coffee With a Cop tends to revolve around campus safety, conversations can sometimes delve into other topics. One of the students that spoke with Watkins was interested in how he became a UHPD officer.
“I was asked about what I had to do to become a UHPD Officer. What type of training I did, and what training we do regularly,” Watkins said.
Watkins also shared information with students about the UHPD’s new substation in the Welcome Center. UHPD hosts Coffee With a Cop once a month and Watkins notes that this event is a must for UHPD because it allows them to connect with students.