February 23, 2018

First ‘Coffee with a Cop’ event in Lincoln Park draws crowds

By Dave Herndon, The News-Herald
Original article HERE

The inaugural Coffee with a Cop event in Lincoln Park went above and beyond expectations for the Police Department on Thursday morning.

A couple dozen people stopped into the Chapatawala Family McDonald’s, 2106 Dix-Toledo, for complimentary coffee and conversations with police top brass, officers, detectives, a K-9 officer and Mayor Thomas Karnes.

Police Chief Raymond Watters said he was impressed by the turnout.

“We had quite a few people come in,” he said. “It was good to build connections to the community.”

At least one resident stopped in for more than a free java and to pet the police dog.

“We had one woman come in to talk about a problem she was having,” Deputy Chief Joe Lavis said. “We’re going to be able to help her.”

It’s situations like that, and the informal setting, that helped make the program a success, police said.

“We’re happy to be able to interact with the community,” Watters said.

One of the keys to the success of the event and others like is that it removes the physical barriers and crisis situations that routinely define interactions between law enforcement officials and community members. Instead, it allows for relaxed, informal one-on-one conversation in a friendly atmosphere.

More than 175 cities in 36 states have participated in similar events across the country since January 2012 when the program was founded.

Police officials said they will definitely do it again in the future.