Watsonville police officers working to help farmworkers

Watsonville police officers are reaching out to local farm workers in the fields.

It’s called “Agua Con La Chota” or “Water with a Cop.”

The program provides Ag workers a safe space to talk with officers and get information or guidance.

They partner with the Community Action Board of Santa Cruz County, The California Highway Patrol Santa Cruz and the Mexican Consulate.

Police say one topic that consistently comes ups when doing this program is immigration.

“People do get scared. Many of them work and have children and sometimes they fear that their children will be left alone here,” said Watsonville farm worker Baltazar Alcantar.

The program allows them to feel more comfortable with police and help ease their fears.

The program consists of three separate visits during a one-month period.

During the final session, officers and staff sit down with the participants and share a meal.