SAN ANGELO, Texas — In partnership with Market Street and United Express, the San Angelo Police Department will be handing out free drink and Icee vouchers to children in the community this summer, according to announcement on the SAPD's social media page June 13.
This effort is one part of giving people a chance to get to know those who protect and serve them.
“It is imperative now more than ever to bridge that gap within the community. It's important to develop a strong, positive communication when dealing with the public. Most of the time, we deal with public and negative situations, so it's really nice and a positive aspect to deal with kids, children, community schools, workplaces, everything like that,” SAPD Recruiter/ Public Information Officer Kelsey Hernandez explained.
A handful of businesses in the area have taken the time to show appreciation to law enforcement and have even donated items to the police department. The SAPD plans to continue to promote unity across the city and be an example for generations in the future.
“In today's society, it's important for children to be able to come up to us in situations that they need our help in. So we want to develop that communication so that they shouldn't be scared of us at any point in time. They should come up to us if we see an officer eating. We love when you come out to say hi to us, things like that,” Hernandez said.
The next event happening is ‘Coffee with a Cop" from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. June 29, at Starbucks, 3217 Sherwood Way. More upcoming events can be found on the SAPD Facebook page.