Dallas (1080 KRLD) - Cafe Momentum in the heart of downtown, aims to help teens get back on their feet after they have committed a crime. As part of his crime reduction plan, Chief Eddie Garcia wants the department to engage the community more. So he and about a dozen officers, dressed up in regular clothes and told the teens they were simply there to help.
The officers assisted for four hours, stating that they were from a non-profit and simply wanted to assist however they could.
The officers then returned a few days later in their full uniforms, Major Juan Salas said the teens were "surprised, happy and delighted."
Chief Garcia, who usually wears long sleeves while on the job, opted for a t-shirt while working as a dishwasher in the cafe, exposing his sleeve tattoos. Once the teens realized that he was an officer, Major Salas said they were "shocked."
"All you see is the uniform but behind this uniform, is a person."
And the message Major Salas wanted to leave for these teens?
"We make mistakes, but we can overcome them and we can be a productive citizen. And you guys, we're proud of you for making those hard decisions that, yeah you're in this program but you're actually breaking barriers as you're continuing your education."
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