The University of Houston Police Department held a Coffee With a Cop event this month at the university's Moody Towers and shared coffee, bagels, and conversations with residents.

The event, typically held at the Student Center South once a month, was spurred by a request from a residential advisor during a meeting with UHPD.

“It felt really good,” said UHPD Crime Prevention Officer Felipe Gutierrez on being asked by a student to host this event at Moody Towers. “It’s one of those things where we always ask for input from the students, and we were able to deliver on it.”

The event took place in the Moody Towers lobby with passing students stopping by to grab a coffee or bagel.

Marketing major Nevaeh Gregory appreciated seeing UHPD officers hosting this event at Moody Towers calling it “thoughtful”.

“It’s nice to interact with them in a non-serious way,” said the freshman.

For Media Production major Ra’Quell Bowen, the Coffee With a Cop event is beneficial. The freshman said events like Coffee With A Cop allow the department an opportunity to break down the stigma that’s associated with police officers.

One of the questions Bowen asked during the event was simple yet important as Bowen wanted to learn where the UHPD station was located on campus.

Biomedical engineering major Timi Agbesanwa’s conversation with the officers was a bit different. The senior’s conversation with the officers delved more into how his semester was going, how he liked his classes, and general university life.

“It was comforting,” said Agbesanwa of having conversations with UHPD officers. “The cops that you see on campus, now they’re familiar faces as well.”

Becoming familiar faces to the UH student body is one of the reasons behind the Coffee With A Cop event.

“Whenever we do come into contact with them [students], they’re not always having that negative perception of the police,” said Gutierrez. “So, it’s good that we’re able to connect on a personal level.”

Moody Tower residential advisor David Ndurue said having the officers at Moody Towers was a positive for freshman residents.

“Them seeing the different staff and talking to them, they get to know the people around their community,” said Ndurue. “It creates a sense of awareness.”

Students can expect more Coffee With A Cop events, scheduled at other residence halls soon, Gutierrez noted.