Coffee with a Cop focuses on back-to-school safety

By Allison Kotzbauer
Mail

Paradise Valley community members gathered in the Paradise Valley Police Department’s main auditorium Wednesday, Aug. 5, where hot coffee and fresh bagels welcomed them into the station.

Community members were then placed into small groups to play games about back-to-school safety. Each team received a whiteboard and marker to write their answers down.

“It really is back to school,” a Paradise Valley resident shouted out.

The event was part of the Coffee with a Cop event series the PVPD hosts the first Wednesday of each month to better inform the community on public safety topics and to give community members a chance to interact with officers in an informal setting.

Law for Kids, a non-profit part of the Arizona Bar Foundation aimed at educating children in Arizona about the law, their rights and their civic responsibilities partnered with the PVPD for August’s event to focus on how to keep the community safe as children return to the classroom.

Education Program Manager at the Arizona Foundation for Legal Services and Education Andrea Viel led the presentation with games and time for discussion about Arizona traffic laws related to schools and safety.

Members of the public played a crosswalk escape room game from the Law for Kids website as well as a matching game. Viel said the games are meant for children but are a great way for anyone to refresh on Arizona laws as children head back to school.

“They are intended for youth, of course, but I think it’s a great tool for anyone in the community,” she said. “It’s just a fun way to dive deeper.”

The games covered when and where to cross the street, what to do if there is no sidewalk, who has the right of way, laws for bikes on the road, school zone laws and fines and stopping for a school bus.

“Living in a community, it is a share of responsibility to keep each other safe,” Viel said.

Paradise Valley Police Chief Freeman Carney thanked the community after Viel’s presentation and attributed Paradise Valley’s safe streets to the department’s officers but also to everyone who participated in the event.

“I think this is the safest place in the state because of them (PVPD officers), which it is,” he said. “But as you can see, you guys are really good on your answers, so you guys are making it safe, too.”

Council Member Karen Liepmann who attended the event said everyone should join the PVPD for a Coffee with a Cop event, and she learned something about pedestrian laws she didn’t know before.

“Coffee with a Cop is one of the most community building, positive reinforcing, events in Paradise Valley,” she said. “It’s a lot of fun, and we learn really interesting things, today I learned something interesting.”

Kyle Stewart, a Scottsdale resident and financial advisor, attended Coffee with a Cop for the first time Wednesday.

“I learned more about school safety and proper actions to take when driving and being around a school zone,” he said. “I wish they would do this in Scottsdale. I think it was extremely beneficial and just a great way for the community to come together.”

Allison Kotzbauer can be reached at akotzbauer@iniusa.org. Please submit comments at yourvalley.net/letters or email them to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines

Allison Kotzbauer
Reporter | Paradise Valley

akotzbauer@iniusa.org

Community: I live in central Phoenix and my writing  focuses on Fountain Hills education, and the Paradise Valley and Scottsdale communities. 

Education: I graduated from Arizona State University in May 2026 with a bachelors degree in Journalism and Mass Communication. My studies focused on writing and visual story-telling.  

Random Fact: Growing up I had over 10 pets including 6 cats, 1 dog, 2 hermits crabs, and too many fish to count! 

Hobbies: I like to spend my free time hiking, crafting, cooking, reading, and spending time with friends and family.