APD hosts Coffee with a Cop

By Rachel Adkins, The Daily Independent
Original article HERE

Coffee with a Cop

Ashland police officers gathered at Tim Horton’s Wednesday morning emitting a welcoming presence for those wishing to just chat and lending an open ear for any concerns from community members.

The Coffee with a Cop event’s goal was to allow the police department to open up the communication between the police department and Ashland residents, according to APD Chief Todd Kelley.

“(It’s) just to let them know that we’re out there and we’re just a part of one great big community,” he said.

Kelley said the morning was going well, adding no one had voiced any concerns. However, he said many had stopped by to say “Hello” and every interaction was positive.

Kelley said it can be intimidating speaking with an officer in uniform, but the event allowed citizens to realize those on duty care about what they have to say.

“We want to get some presence out there and let them know that we don’t just sit behind the wheel of a car or in an office and that’s what we want to do is get out and about,” said Kelley.

Terrance Maggard said the APD’s event, along with others recently held within Ashland, like the APD-Ashland Fire Department’s basketball game last Saturday, saying he likes how the town is trying to become user-friendlier. He also applauded the work of some city commissioners for their social media usage and open forums.

Goodlaw Uradu and Dr. Emmanuel Eze spoke with Kelley and afterwards both explained how effective they felt Coffee with a Cop was.

“Naturally people’s reaction to the police is fear… so this does quiet a lot to defuse that tension, that fear,” Eze said.

Kelley said more events will be planned in the future.