Billerica Police host ‘Coffee With a Cop’

By Nick Greenhalgh
Original article HERE

How do you like your coffee?

If you stopped by Dunkin Donuts in Billerica this morning, a police officer likely asked you that very question.

In an effort to become more visible in the community they serve, the Billerica Police Department have picked up on the nationwide ‘Coffee With a Cop’ initiative.

Coffee with A Cop was launched in Hawthorne, California in 2011, as a way for the police department to interact more successfully with the people they serve.

Given the current political climate, Billerica Police Deputy Chief Roy Frost said these community events have become vital.

“We need to rewrite the narrative that the national media is putting out there, that the police and community are at odds,” he said. “Nothing could be further from the truth, the people in uniform are people that are living in this community.”

The police department held its first meet-up on Oct. 7 at Java Brewin in Billerica and held a second on Oct. 14 at Dunkin Donuts in Pinehurst.

The department invited residents to come meet the people that serve their neighborhood and ask questions over a cup of joe.

“It’s just an opportunity to meet with our residents, to let them put a face to who’s patrolling their town,” Frost said.

The department hasn’t set an official calendar for future events, but Frost said he’d like to do at least a couple of them each year. He’s considered hosting one at the MBTA Station to connect with morning commuters.

“We’re looking at any location where we can set these non-confrontational, quick opportunities to meet with the officers in their neighborhood,” he said.

Through two meet-ups, Frost said resident feedback has been positive, especially given the free coffee.

“People are extremely excited getting their coffee bought for them,” he said. “But, a lot of people are saying they’d rather buy us a coffee.”