Deputies from the Altadena Sheriff Station will host a community engagement event Tuesday, July 8 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at El Patron Restaurant. The “Guac With a Cop” event aims to strengthen the bond between local law enforcement and the community through informal dining and conversation.
The event encourages residents to bring their appetite and questions to connect with deputies in a relaxed setting. The gathering provides an opportunity for community members to enjoy delicious food and get to know the faces behind the badge.
El Patron Restaurant, located at 2555 Lake Avenue in Altadena, will serve as the venue for this community policing initiative. The restaurant reopened in March after surviving the Eaton Fire that devastated Altadena in January.
The Eaton Fire began on January 7 and was fully contained on January 31, burning 14,021 acres and destroying over 9,000 structures in Altadena and surrounding areas. El Patron Restaurant has been operating in Altadena for 15 years and is owned by Maggie Cortez.
Community policing programs like “Coffee with a Cop” have been implemented nationwide since the program launched in Hawthorne, California in 2011. The Altadena Sheriff Station has previously hosted similar events, including “Pizza with a Deputy” in September 2024.