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Public safety on menu at Coffee With A Cop gatherings in Elmwood Park
By Pioneer Press
Original article HERE
In the cozy atmosphere of a neighborhood Panera, one community member dished up a question on a pretty hot topic to Elmwood Park Police Chief Frank Fagiano
“One of the questions I just got was about concealed carry,” the chief related. “Somebody’s house is broken into, what are your rights?”
The chief walked the citizen through the complex issues surrounding a legal gun carrier’s rights.
Want to hear more? You might want to attend the department’s next “Coffee With A Cop” gathering.
The event Nov. 22, at Panera at 7400 W. North Ave., brought a small gathering of residents, taking the opportunity to join police officers for coffee (compliments of the village) and conversation.
For several years now, the department has been sponsoring such events. The concept originally grew out of Hawthorne, Calif., in 2011, where members of the police force there were looking for ways to interact more successfully with the citizens they served, according to coffeewithacop.com.
Fagiano likes the backdrop of an informal atmosphere, such as Panera, for citizens to feel free discussing issues.
Normally, “when people call police it’s because something bad happened to them,” he said. “In a sense, this is kind of the reverse.”
Naomi George, a nearly 27-year resident of the village, said she felt comfortable in the setting. One of her concerns? Drivers respecting pedestrian rights at crosswalks.
“I have to tell you the truth — some people drive too fast. I’m concerned about that,” she said.
Rita Andrews, another resident, learned about the event from the village website. “I thought, I should go to that,” she said.
After chatting about the effectiveness of some traffic signs in town, she launched into a wider issue with the other people at the table, including two Elmwood Park police officers, Dave Ransom and Don Marino: “The crime in Elmwood Park —has that increased through the years or is it pretty steady?”
Across the table, Police Officer David Ransom, who grew up in Elmwood Park, was ready with an answer.
“I’ve been here 10 years,” he said. “It’s pretty much been the same in my opinion.”
Lois Bonaccorsi, another longtime resident, used the occasion to renew ties with Deputy Chief Andrew Hock and Police Chief Fagiano.
“I knew Andrew a long time from the neighborhood,” she said.
As for the event, she said “I think it’s a wonderful thing.”
Olga Brezden, a University of Illinois at Chicago student interning with the police department as part of her studies, was also sitting in.
“I think it’s a great example of community outreach,” said Brezden. She said such events can provide “an icebreaker where citizens can come and ask questions.”
Brezden, majoring in political science and criminal justice, said her background is eastern European. Some members of that community have related stories to her about being stopped by police and not knowing what to do. In their home countries, the citizens would step out of their cars. In the United States, that can be a no-no.
Events such as last week’s are a good way for “the community to come in and learn about procedures,” she said.
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