In an effort to increase positive communication within the community, Woodland police officers gathered at Kitchen 428 Wednesday morning, answering questions and discussing challenges ahead for the department.

“We are going to try and do these once a month,” said Detective Ted Ruiz, who led the “Coffee with a Cop” event.

After introductions, Ruiz and his fellow officers answered a variety of questions from a handful of people who attended the event, including what kinds of crimes should be reported.

“We need people to contact us even if there is nothing we can really do about it,” Ruiz said. “For example, if someone breaks into a car and steals some change, it is still a good idea to report it. Even though it may be a minor crime.”

Ruiz provided another example of having a credit card stolen from a vehicle, noting most people choose not to report it to police because they can simply cancel their card.

“If someone steals a credit card and buys gas or other things, we can trace that,” he said. “We are going to go to those places and see if they have video surveillance and try to stop the criminal. But we can’t do that if the initial crime is not reported.”

Ruiz continued to emphasize this point throughout the one-hour session.

Other questions revolved around overall communication between the community with officers. Apart from the Coffee with a Cop sessions, Woodland police recently started a Facebook page to let people know what is happening, although there is still more to be done “to increase community contact in a positive light with law enforcement,” Ruiz said.

Ruiz has worked for the Woodland Police Department for more than 10 years and when he changes to a plain-clothed position, he noticed a difference in how people perceived him.

“People are much more likely to talk to me now that I am not in uniform,” he said. “It breaks down the separation and we are working on more events like this to continue to break down barriers.”

Ruiz also reflected on how the number of officers has not changed much in the past 10 years. Department budget cuts have eliminated certain positions, putting a strain on the officers that remain, making volunteers an essential resource.

“I have about 30 cases on my desk right now,” he said. “It is not possible to work 30 cases at one time.”

One way volunteers help is by calling those whose cases have not been touched yet, reassuring them and letting them know what is happening. They can also be used to “patrol” certain areas.

Although volunteers are a great resource, they are limited in what they can do because they are not trained officers and it is a dangerous job, Ruiz added.

A more recent challenge affecting law enforcement agencies across the state is the implementation of Proposition 47, which reduces certain felony charges to misdemeanors.

“It feels like my hands were tied behind my back when laws like this are passed,” Ruiz said. “The first person we let go because of Prop. 47, within 24 hours went and committed a carjacking in Woodland. It is just the sign of the times.”

Officer Dallas Hyde remembers working the graveyard shift on Nov. 5, when Prop. 47 took effect and “the world changed” and people were suddenly on the streets who were previously behind bars.

Although Woodland officers are still adjusting to the change, Hyde assured people they will “figure it out” in time and reach a solution which allows police to keep the public safe while still enforcing the law.

Contact Sarah Dowling at 530-406-6234.