Somersworth cops serve coffee and good will

By Jenne Holmes, fosters.com
Original article HERE

SOMERSWORTH — If you pulled into Aroma Joe’s on High Street in Somersworth between 7:30 and 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 22, there was a good chance you were in for a big surprise.

Rather than being met by your usual barista, a Somersworth Police officer was there instead.

No worries. No arrests were made and actual Aroma Joe’s baristas were on hand to guide the officers who are more accustomed to handing out tickets than cups of coffee.

It was all part of an ongoing effort by the Somersworth Police Department to become more involved in the community, according to Police Chief David Kretschmar. Judging from the happy faces that pulled up to the window, it was a success.

Inside the coffee shop, several members of the police department were thrilled to receive a visit from the ladies and children of Lydia’s House of Hope, a 365-day transitional housing program for homeless women and children located at 21 Grand St. in Somersworth. After hearing about the event, House of Hope residents made the trip in the new van recently been donated to them, according to house director Theresa Trozier. They were very happy they came. The event was an opportunity for the woman and children to see police officers in a different light.

Other visitors in the morning included Somersworth Mayor Dana Hilliard, who applauded the recent community policing effort, and City Councilor David Witham, who echoed Hilliard’s sentiments.

Thursday’s “Coffee With a Cop” event was similar to one in October at Dunkin Donuts on Route 108. Kretschmar said that event was a big success, too, and that he has more events planned as the department looks to become more involved with the community it serves.

The police presence put smiles on the faces of many surprised drive-thru customers picking up their usual cup of morning Joe.