Sergeant John Edwards, of the University Police Department, hands out cupcakes during "Cupcakes & Cops." Jennifer Dettwiller/The Lion's Roar 

“Cupcakes & Cops” took place Oct. 5 in the Student Union Breezeway in hopes to bring a friendly face to the University Police Department.

Three university departments held this event to connect the police department with students, and bring awareness to alcohol safety.

Director of the office for Student Engagement Angela James explained the aspects of why this event was put on.

 “This event is ‘Cupcakes & Cops,’ which is part of ‘Blue and You,’ a community policing initiative that we are doing,” said James. “We are basically focusing on our policemen building community relationships here on campus. We want people to know that our policemen are a vital part of, not just protecting our students, but a part of our community as well. If students are aware of that then if something happens, they are more likely to go to them knowing that it’s a friendly face.”

The event is sponsored by the University Counseling Center, Office for Student Engagement and the University Police Department.

James acknowledged that this is the second event with the UPD this semester.

“This is our second one we are doing,” said James. “Our first one was ‘Cool off with Blue’ during the very first week of classes. We distributed water with the DSA ‘Ask Me’ tents.”

Lieutenant Patrick Gipson explains why they participated in “Cupcakes & Cops.”

“The counseling center is going to be talking about responsible alcohol use and the reduction of binge drinking,” said Gipson. “The officers are here to lend our support to those efforts. We are handing out cupcakes and taking pictures with anybody.”