Coffee with a Cops event brings Acton law enforcement and community together

By Matt Mallio, Wicked Local Boxborough
Original article HERE

A person passing the Dunkin’ Donuts on Great Road Wednesday morning may be forgiven for wondering if there was a problem. Three police cars were in the lot after all.

And while there were a few officers inside, they were not there because of a problem. They were there mixing with community members in their first Coffee with a Cop event, the local version of a national event meant to build stronger ties between law enforcement and the communities they serve. During the event, officers and residents enjoyed free coffee and donuts and chatted with each other.

Consensus of the event, which was sponsored by Dunkin’ Donuts, was positive.

Police Chief Rich Burrows, in an email, said this was the first time the department was participating in Coffee with a Cop. At the event, he said was happy with “any time we get to come out” and interact with the community in a positive manner.

Detective Lt. Douglas Sturniolo, Detective Jon Stackhouse, Deputy Chief Jim Cogan and Officer Mike Eracleo all commented that they were happy for the opportunity to talk with town residents and for them to get to know them in return.

Acton resident Bob Goulet said he thought it was a “dynamite” event. He commented on the recent Las Vegas shooting, and said it was especially important to get to know your local police. No matter what your age, Goulet said, it was important to meet local law enforcement, talk to them, “and realize they’re human.”

According to the website coffeewithacop.com, the first Wednesday in October is designated as National Coffee with a Cop Day. The event began in Hawthorne, Calif. in 2011 when local police decided to reach out to residents to try and build a stronger bond with them. Since that time, the site states, police departments, large and small, are participating in the event.