By Mary O’KEEFE

Local residents mingled with Glendale cops and Los Angeles sheriff deputies at Coffee with the COPPS (Community Policing PartnerShip) the morning of Dec. 17 at Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf in Montrose. The meet and greet was a way for law enforcement to connect with the community.

Community members are invited regularly to local restaurants, coffee houses and bakeries to meet with various members from local law enforcement agencies and officials from the city and county. It is a casual way to talk to officials about problems in neighborhoods ranging from litter to burglary. The program was established by Glendale police about 12 years ago and continued for a few years then stopped. When Glendale Community Police Officer Matt Zakarian was assigned to Montrose he decided to restart the program.

“I generally invite representatives from different aspects of the city and Los Angeles County,” Zakarian said.

Each event is different with varied members  from local agencies including Capt. Dave Silversparre from the Crescenta Valley Sheriff’s Station and representatives from the Los Angeles Board of Supervisors.

Coffee with the COPPS is held about every two months. The schedule for the next meeting will be posted in the window of the COPPS Montrose substation at 3808 Ocean View Blvd. and in the CV Weekly.