It’s billed as “Coffee with a Cop” in Lathrop.
Lathrop Police Chief Captain James Hood and Lt. Toby Farnsworth along with a number of their deputies will be on hand to meet and chat with members of the public today (Tuesday) from 2 until 4 p.m. at Starbucks Coffee 15010 Harlan Road.
The casual afternoon event doubles as an opportunity to ask Lathrop community members to bring a special toy that will be given to Lathrop children in need.
Chief Hood said, “Don’t miss this opportunity to get to know some of the deputies who work in your neighborhoods. No pressure, no agenda, just a chance to sit and talk about your concerns with the Lathrop deputies.”
The toys will be distributed to children at the Lathrop Generations Center on Spartan Way just west of Golden Valley as youngsters from the community will gather for “Cocoa with the Chief” on December 13 at 4 p.m.
On Tuesday, Dec. 19, the Blue Santa event is scheduled for 6 a.m. with deputies who will shop with some 30 to 35 children at the Lathrop Target store filling their wish lists after hosting them to a breakfast provided by deputies from the Deputy Sheriffs’ Association.
And on Dec. 22 the deputies are going to be handing out food and blankets to five senior citizens they have found in need which they will present at the Lathrop Senior Center.  The effort is coming from the deputies and the Second Harvest Food Bank.

To contact Glenn Kahl, email gkahl@mantecabulletin.com.