The California Highway Patrol Newhall-area Office and Vallarta Supermarket in Newhall joined together to bring out the community for “Conchas and Community” on Tuesday morning.
Conchas and Community was a way to help connect residents with local law enforcement to ask questions and get to know the people in uniform.
Officer Carlos Burgos-Lopez, public information officer of CHP’s Newhall office, said that when Vallarta reached out to suggest the event, he immediately jumped on the opportunity.
“Sometimes, we have these interactions where people are very timid, very scared. They don’t know what to expect. When they come out here and they can talk to us, and then … when you talk to them in Spanish, you almost see their face immediately change,” Burgos-Lopez said. “So, I think it kind of shows we’re people too. And we’re out here just like we love conchas. We love café de olla as well.”
When customers entered the store, they were greeted by the pink and white pan dulce, or sweet bread, the scent of café de olla and smiling Vallarta workers and CHP officers.
Julio Rivas, store director of Vallarta, said this event is a way to show their customers that they are here for them.
“It’s very important, because Vallarta, they appreciate all the customers, especially the Latinos. We support Latinos, too. Right now, the situation right now, a lot of customers are afraid right now,” Rivas said.
One man, Israel Tovar, came because he wanted to extend his help and resources to the community.
“I’m a volunteer for the area. … I have a watch (VCDefensa) for people that are concerned about being picked up by (Immigration and Customs Enforcement),” Tovar said.
He added that he patrols the area for people who are dealing with ICE and helps them understand their rights.
Tovar said that having these kinds of events is important because it helps find that community that wants to help others.
“I love this. I need this because I see what’s going on, on social media. But I know a lot more to it than social media,” Tovar said. “You know, you have to get out there with the people and talk to them, see what’s going on, and when you start seeing how many people are involved, we’re trying to help.”
