Staff Report

The county Sheriff’s Department has extended its “Coffee with a Cop” events to include the Santa Ynez Valley.

“We want folks to be able to sit down with us and talk about our local issues and concerns. We are here to help,” said Deputy Mike Guynn.

The goal of the monthly sessions with community resource deputies for the Chumash Reservation and the city of Solvang is to provide opportunities for community members to get to know deputies that patrol their area and talk about their concerns.

At the first session on Jan. 9, law enforcement vehicles outnumbered other cars in the parking lot behind the Coffee Shop by Chomp. Members of the Sheriff’s Department and the California Highway Patrol gathered to hear from local residents.

“We are so grateful to our local law enforcement for doing this, because you can talk face to face about important issues,” said participant Terri Campbell.

Campbell and her friend Dawn Perrine showed up to speak to the Sheriff’s Department about their event on equine rescue, which took place on Jan. 19 at the Santa Ynez Valley Equestrian Center. Perrine helped coordinate the event and was hoping for officials from the Sheriff’s Mounted Unit to be able to come and talk.

The gatherings will be held from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. on the second Wednesday of each month, rotating through four local coffee shops. The next event will be on Feb. 13 at Pattibakes in Buellton.

Senior Deputy Charlie Uhrig, who has been the Solvang community resource officer for years, and Senior Deputy Michael Guynn, who is the new officer for the Chumash Reservation and surrounding Santa Ynez Valley, decided to do the rotating series of coffee events in the hopes of connecting with a larger number of community members.

“Coffee with a Cop is a great opportunity for us to reach out, listen and engage the community in conversation regarding issues that are affecting them individually, and the valley as a whole,” Uhrig said. “It’s also a good way for the general public to get to know the local deputies and to develop relationships with them.”

The schedule for the meetings, each from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. on a Wednesday, is:

Pattibakes at 240 E. Highway 246, No. 109, in Buellton on Feb. 13, June 12 and Oct. 9.
Corner House at 2902 San Marcos Ave. in Los Olivos on March 13, July 10 and Nov. 13.
Pony Espresso at 3558 Sagunto St. in Santa Ynez on April 10, Aug. 14 and Dec. 11.
Coffee House by Chomp at 1693 Mission Drive in Solvang on May 8 and Sept. 11.