91视频

Coffee, Conversation, and Campus Safety

By Jesus Acevedo Jr.

coffee with a cop

The 91视频 Police Department (UHPD) kicked off the fall semester with its first Coffee with a Cop event, welcoming over 230 students, faculty, and staff to Student Center South. Attendees enjoyed coffee, Cougar punch, and cookies while connecting with the officers who help keep our campus safe. 

Students lined up early for refreshments, and by the halfway mark, only coffee and punch remained. Events were also held at UH Sugar Land and Katy, bringing total attendance across all three locations to 500. 

鈥淭oday鈥檚 event was a success,鈥� said Amir Watkins, UHPD Crime Prevention Officer. 鈥淚 guess we got the word out because the students showed.鈥� 

coffee with a cop

Beyond the snacks, students took the opportunity to ask questions and learn more about campus safety resources. 
Ethan Nguyen, a sophomore health major, asked about the emergency call boxes on campus, how they work and what to expect in an emergency. 

鈥淗e asked, if someone suspicious was following him and he pressed the button, how long would it take to respond,鈥� said Watkins. 鈥淚 told him it would take about two to three minutes for an officer to arrive, and someone would begin speaking to him immediately.鈥� 

Nguyen said the conversation was reassuring and informative. 
鈥淣ow I know they can be used for other emergencies too, like calling a fire truck or ambulance, not just the police,鈥� the health major said. 

coffee with a cop

Watkins emphasized the importance of events like this for spreading awareness. 
鈥淭hat鈥檚 the main reason we host this event to get the information out there,鈥� said Watkins. 鈥淥ne person tells a friend, and they鈥檒l tell their friend and so it spreads.鈥� 

Freshman Rae Davies, a management information systems major, attended for the first time and appreciated the relaxed atmosphere. 

鈥淚t鈥檚 really cool,鈥� she said. 鈥淧lus, there鈥檚 free coffee.鈥� 

Mark Your Calendar! The next Coffee with a Cop event is scheduled for October 8 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Come for the coffee, stay for the conversation. 

coffee with a cop