Officers from the LAPD’s Wilshire Division celebrated the holidays with the community during an event on Dec. 17 at Macy’s in the Beverly Center. (photo by Edwin Folven)

Every month, officers from the Los Angeles Police Department’s Wilshire Division host Coffee With a Cop, providing an informal setting for community members to meet police personnel who patrol different parts of the division.

On Dec. 17, officers welcomed shoppers at Macy’s in the Beverly Center to a special holiday Coffee With a Cop event, where coffee and doughnuts were served and the Grinch made a special appearance.

“This is another opportunity to build relationships. It goes a long way,” said Senior Lead Officer Ian O’Brien, who is assigned to the Beverly Grove area. “We are partnering with the security here as well, to build on that collaborative effort to solve some of the problems going on here, [and] just overall safety at the shopping center.”

The holiday Coffee With a Cop event also gave staff at the Beverly Center an opportunity to meet officers from the Wilshire Division and establish connections.

“It’s a great event, it’s great for the mall. People can talk to the officers, the kids feel safe. They can have a doughnut, they can have a cup of coffee at the mall,” head of security Bill Murray said.

To learn about upcoming Coffee With a Cop events, follow the Wilshire Division on Instagram. Anyone seeking information or wishing to get involved with the Wilshire Division’s public programs is urged to contact the Community Relations Unit at (213)473-0200, or the front desk at (213)473-0476.