It’s another busy morning at the Malibu Kitchen as customers order freshly made sticky buns and bagel sandwiches while Sheriffs talk shop at the tables in the corner.
The Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriffs Department offers “Coffee with a Deputy” every Thursday morning at the Malibu Kitchen from 8:30 to 10 a.m. where members of the community can stop by, have some coffee and chat with a deputy.
“Coffee with the deputy was started over in Calabasas over 15 years ago and we’ve been doing this since location since 2001,” Community Relations and Crime Prevention deputy Shawn Brownell said.
“It gives the people an opportunity to come in and talk to us in an informal setting and talk about crime and law enforcement issues or anything they want to talk about really.”
A few deputies sit at the restaurant every week to talk over coffee with the community where a growing list of regulars are taking advantage of the special time with law enforcement.
“When someone walks in and they see us with our stuff on, we start up a conversation and they sit down and talk,” Brownell said. “There’s a group of regular people that come in and out of here. Over the years we’ve developed a relationship with them. People don’t really know about it, but we’re here.”
Regular coffee drinker and attendee Deirdre Grenner agrees.
“I think it’s cool for people to get more of a human side because there’s a really big misconception and attitude against law enforcement and I think it’s ridiculous.
Over the years, Brownell and Special Assignment deputy Robert DeSantis have heard all kinds of questions and complaints from residents, ranging from “why did I get this citation” to “what does this ticket even mean.”
Most of the complaints aren’t even really complaints and people want a chance to sit down and really talk to someone who cares Brownell said.
“They just want to hear from law enforcement and see what our reaction is.”
Being at the Malibu Kitchen “lets people know that we’re there for them” DeSantis said. “It lets them know how we operate and what we do.”
It’s a busy season during the summer in Malibu for the Sheriff’s and the discussion ranges from traffic stops to more work with tourists in town taking advantage of all that Malibu has to offer.
But with more people moving in to a small beach town, inevitably leads to more crime.
“In the summer months we get a lot of vehicle burglaries,” Brownell said. “The beaches are crowded. People watch you get in and out of the cars and lock your stuff in the car and break in to your trunk.”
Whether you’re a Malibu local or visiting the coast for the day, Brownell insists on packing light to the beach and bringing as little as possible.
“If you’re going to the beach for the day, don’t bring all of your valuables, just bring your essentials, maybe one credit card or one atm card.”
Regardless of if there’s a specific topic or citation you need to discuss, stop by and say hi to your local law enforcement officials. The Sheriff’s are always available for a cup of coffee on Thursday mornings.
“This is a good way for people to come in and see the human side of us,” Brownell said. “We’re in plain clothes, we’re not intimidating. Hang out and have coffee, eat something and talk.”
Coffee with the deputies is every Thursday morning from 8:30 to 10 a.m. at the Malibu Kitchen. If you miss them on Thursday, they do Tuesday coffee in Calabasas at the Corner Bakery from 8:30 to 10 a.m.