Coffee with Chief focuses on safe havens

Safe-havens laws, which allow infants or juveniles to be left at legally designated facilities and allow the child to become a ward of the court, will be this Saturday’s Coffee with the Chief topic.

“The safe haven laws provide an opportunity for distraught and distressed parents, who can’t take care of their child, to relinquish custody of their child, no questions asked,” said Det. Mike Burns, Maricopa Police Department acting public information officer.

Burns pointed out that sometimes parents are simply unable to provide for their child and safe-haven laws allow them to ensure the child is cared for.

The monthly sessions give residents the opportunity to learn more about topics by chatting with Maricopa Police Chief Steve Stahl at the Maricopa Public Library on the second Saturday of the month. The sessions are informal and the topics are selected by attendees.

Safe haven laws – also known as “Baby Moses laws” in some areas of the country – can vary from state to state.

There are a number of safe havens within Maricopa, including churches and the fire stations, and their locations and criteria will be discussed during the session.

Burns pointed out that while the QuikTrip convenience store on John Wayne Parkway is not a safe haven, it is designated as a Safe Place. Runaways and at-risk youth can get something to eat and drink and wait for a volunteer from a Safe Place agency partner to help them.

Coffee with the Chief is 8-9:30 a.m. Participants are invited to bring their own coffee.

More information is available by calling 520-316-6868.