SAN ANTONIO – As tensions tighten between police and citizens in cities across the nation, the San Antonio Police Department is pushing hard to build a better relationship with the community.
Friday morning dozens of police officers had breakfast with community members.
"I've never seen this. I'm happy it's happening here," said Jo Grave Bermea.
Bermea came to the McDonald's on Old Pearsall Road specifically to meet the officers who patrol her neighborhood.
"To find out what we can do within our neighborhoods to clear up our neighborhoods from crime," she said.
This is the second time SAPD has joined with McDonald's to hold the Coffee with the Cops event.
Officers mingled with community members and worked the drive-thru, taking orders and delivering food.
"In San Antonio, I think we're very blessed and fortunate to have the relationship we do with the community, but that doesn't happen by accident or overnight. It's something we do conscientiously as an organization," said SAPD Chief Anthony Treviño.
With violence, and conflict breaking out between communities and their police forces all over the nation, Treviño said the effort to build trust is more important than ever.
"The time to create a relationship isn't in a moment of crisis. You have to put in those day-to-day efforts to make the difference," he said.
"We need to know that they're there for us," Bermea said.
Treviño said the point of Coffee with the Cops is to prove that the police are there for the community.
They plan to hold another event at a different McDonald's location soon.