October 20, 2016

Deputies, residents interact on National Coffee with a Cop Day

By Sara Marie Moore, Shoreview Press
Original article HERE

Bruegger’s Bagels was abuzz with Ramsey County Sheriff’s deputies and residents chatting on “National Coffee with a Cop Day” Oct. 7.

The sheriff’s office started regular “Coffee with a Cop” meetings last year right next door at Caribou and made the rounds of the seven cities it serves as primary public safety responders.

“We started here a year ago at Caribou,” said Sgt. Kevin Otto. “We worked our way around our seven cities.” Deputies have met with community members for coffee at Caribou, McDonald’s, Panera and Starbucks across suburban Ramsey County.

Terry Soukkala, undersheriff, noted the “Coffee with a Cop” meetings have been beneficial to his deputies as well as to the community for relationship-building. The deputies often get to hear community members thank them for their service.

“With the media and everything that is going on and the negative talk about officers, it is good for staff to hear,” Soukkala said.

Soukkala has been the undersheriff for six years and has seen an increase in community thanks the last three years.

Recently, signs have appeared in random spots all along Highway 96 thanking Ramsey County Sheriff’s deputies. Who put up the signs is a mystery.

“Apparently they want to remain anonymous because they are worried about backlash,” Soukkala said.

This last year the sheriff’s office has increased its outreach to the community. It held seven “Hot Dog with a Deputy” events this summer. This winter it will continue its “Coffee with a Cop” initiative. The event at Bruegger’s Bagels was its seventh “Coffee with a Cop” event.

The event is an opportunity for community members to join neighbors and deputies for coffee and conversation. There is no agenda or speeches, just a chance to ask questions, voice concerns and get to know the deputies in the neighborhood.

One of the deputies at the most recent event was Geoffrey Chang, who has served the White Bear Township area for 10 years. Prior to that, he was a community service officer for the St. Paul Police Department.

“I love being a cop,” Chang said. “I love what I do. I get to help people. I get to bust criminals.”

“Coffee with a Cop” started in 2011 by a California police department looking for ways to interact more successfully with the citizens they serve each day. In less than five years, Coffee with a Cop events have been hosted in all 50 states. Learn more at coffeewithacop.com.