Tickets on Sale for C.O.P.P.S. October 12 BBQ in CV

From the Alameda County Sheriff's Department -

The Alameda County Sheriff's Office C.O.P.P.S. Unit and your neighbors invite you to attend an annual fundraising barbecue event at the , 2490 Grove Way, Castro Valley on October 12 from 5:30 to 9 p.m.

All proceeds go towards paying the department's Cop Shop rent and funding community events.

Adult admission is $12 each and Children (12 & under) are $6 per ticket.

The BBQ menu will consist of Tri Tip, Chicken, Hot Links, Salads, Beverages & Dessert.

Tickets can be purchased at The Cop Shop at 1530 167th Avenue, San Leandro, 510-667-7770; at 377 Paseo Grande, San Lorenzo, 510-276-4554 or the at 3467 Castro Valley Blvd., Castro Valley, 510-537-5300.

The department's C.O.P.P.S website page describes the program as follows:

"The Community Oriented Policing and Problem Solving Unit (COPPS) is responsible for investigating complaints from citizens, i.e., we act as a sounding board for long term neighborhood disputes and problems, narcotic activity stemming from a particular residence (usage and/or sales), or an eyesore property. All complaints are investigated until resolved. We meet with the community monthly on matters such as neighborhood watch, and larger homeowner associations.

The COPPS unit also conducts ABC investigations of applications for alcoholic beverage license(s). We locate residences and businesses in violation of Alameda County Ordinances and work in conjunction with Code Enforcement to rectify the problem. While on-scene with Code Enforcement, we ensure the agent's safety from the residents living in uninhabitable residences.

The COPPS unit assists ETS patrol with high priority calls for service and we take "cold" reports when all patrol units are unavailable. We assist the Special Investigations Unit with pretext stops, prostitution stings, and/or whenever necessary. We conduct parking and traffic enforcement within our jurisdiction, particularly in neighborhoods where residents have voiced concerns of speeding vehicles or illegally parked vehicles. We patrol areas that are not accessible with the patrol cars using duel sport motorcycles and bicycles. We conduct warrant services and probation and parole compliance checks. We work with Gang Unit in conjunction with their operations. We create and execute operation plans monthly, including alcohol and tobacco decoy operations and grand theft suppression operations. We additionally participate in the Holiday Crime Suppression, the Avoid the 21 campaign, and go on extraditions.

The COPPS unit maintains good relationships with local business owners and conduct frequent business checks. We also offer a Citizen's academy bi-annually as well as attend public functions and community workshops. We speak at schools regarding personal safety. We attend the Alameda County Fair where we assist Backgrounds and Recruiting Unit to advise citizens of ongoing programs and safety issues at the COPPS booth.

The COPPS units are also responsible for inspecting all 142 alcohol outlets in Unincorporated Alameda County, and train every employee of each outlet yearly while conducting enforcement operations."

You can learn more about the unit by calling (510) 667-7770.