Hey, could you come to the police station for a cup of coffee?

At a creative market in Ningbo recently, one coffee stall stole the whole show. A purple-blue sign read "POLICE COFFEE" — so you'd assume it was a police-themed collaboration, right? Wrong! Wrong! Wrong! This stall was opened by the police themselves, and the people pulling your shots were actual police officers. No fakes here... not that anyone would dare!

The stall was set up by the Jiangbei Branch of the Ningbo Public Security Bureau under the theme "Have you prevented fraud today?" The classic blue-and-white storefront carried slogans like "Making money isn't easy — cherish what you earn" and "Uncle's coffee is safe to drink. Don't wait until you've been scammed to drink coffee at the police station — it'll be bitter." The traditionally stern colors suddenly felt approachable, and the adorable contrast drew the eye of every visitor in the market.

Charismatic Officers Draw the Crowds

Beyond the eye-catching color scheme, what truly made the stall the event's hottest spot was its most charming and upstanding staff. Some brewed coffee; others patiently walked visitors through downloading anti-fraud apps, explained common scam types and tactics, fielded questions on the spot, and handed out handmade anti-fraud keepsakes.

Creative Anti-Fraud Messaging

The officers went all-in on the messaging. Every cup carried a tag — "Looking for love, not brush-and-ship scams" or "Dating is fine. Talking about money is not!" The giveaways were even tailored by age group.

Thoughtful Gifts for Every Age

For the elderly, there were neck card holders printed with "Health products aren't necessary, investments aren't reliable — hold tight to your money and protect your retirement funds." For children, rulers and stationery with cute cartoon characters warning them to watch out for bad uncles. For young people, adorable police-cartoon stickers perfect for decorating phone cases and more. And of course, you could pick whichever gift you liked.

How to Score a "Police Coffee"

Getting a cup wasn't hard: download the relevant app with on-site guidance, check in and post an anti-fraud pledge on social media, and collect eight or more likes — and you'd earn a free cup of coffee handmade by a police officer. Netizens who scored one said: "This is so heartwarming! I never thought fraud-prevention education could be this artistic."

Education Meets Entertainment

The point of the pop-up, as the officers put it: "Coffee culture is hugely popular with young people, so we hope a relaxed atmosphere gets them learning about fraud prevention — and then passing that knowledge on to the elders at home." To make the message land even better, the stall also invited a stand-up comedian to walk through common scam cases in a looser, funnier style.

A Growing Trend

Since last year, many public security bureaus have begun "collaborating" with coffee shops and coffee brands, letting people absorb fraud-prevention knowledge over a cup. Some have opened themed cafés inside police compounds; others have partnered with brands like Luckin and Starbucks — distributing anti-fraud stickers to themed cafés and chain stores in their jurisdictions, and applying them to cups at serving time to push the message further.

A Permanent Police-Themed Location

Beyond the pop-up, the Ningbo Jiangbei police have also authorized a café to run a "Police Station COFFEE" on Waitan Street. The Jiangbei Branch stresses that the police don't operate the café — it's simply a collaboration for anti-fraud outreach, with promotional elements and cartoon police imagery inside to spread awareness.

The police really are going above and beyond to protect everyone's wallets!

Image source: Internet | Ningbo Public Security

FrontStreet Coffee Recommendation

Whether it's made by an officer or a barista, a good milk coffee starts with great crema. FrontStreet's first pick is the Classic Blend — designed for espresso and moka pots, built on the traditional "Mandheling + Brazil" recipe with a rich, mellow body and outstanding crema. Even a beginner on a basic home machine can pull a dense, silky shot for lattes, cappuccinos, or Dirty.

Watching costs? FrontStreet Coffee's Black Cocoa Blend is 100% Arabica with generous crema, full body, and a friendly price — quality and value in one bag. And if you'd rather stand out with a fruit-forward option, the Strawberry Candy Blend recreates a vivid strawberry-gummy sweetness from single-origin Arabicas across regions, making it a versatile daily bean for both home and café menus.