Coffee connects cops, community

By Amanda M. Usher, Valdota Daily Times
Original article HERE

Coffee connects cops, communityA hot cup of java bonded members of Valdosta Police Department with the community Thursday at the McDonald’s on Bemiss Road.

Residents mingled with the officers during Coffee with a Cop, a program Chief Brian Childress said police are using to engage with people in the city.

Coffee with a Cop is designed to buil trust between police and residents, which police officials hope will increase the residents’ willingness to be involved with helping the department.

“If they see their officers face-to-face, they’re more likely to want to work with us,” he said.

The Valdosta crime rate has decreased by 15 percent, Childress said, adding he believes community policing assists the department with reducing the amount of crimes.

“It’s like the old saying before, too, if people trust you, they’ll tell you things,” he said, “and that’s how we solve crimes. That’s what this is all about, nothing more than that.”

Childress said events such as Coffee with a Cop helps remove barriers between officers and the public.

“We can’t solve crimes, we can’t make your city safe unless you work with us, and we work with you,” he said.

Shawna Argabright, McDonald’s area supervisor, said she believes Coffee with a Cop helps create a connection with police.

“It’s a good event for the community to come out, get to know the police officers, get to know the chief, and just build that relationship with our police officers and citizens of Valdosta,” she said.

Judy Haverkamp has been a Valdosta resident for 10 years. She believes seeing Valdosta police Thursday aided her in getting to know the officers personally and also created a sense of safety.

“I would like to see more of the people in the community come out, meet these officers, ask them questions if you have concerns,” she said. “This is the time to do it because you’re one on one.”

Lt. Derrick Sinclair represented Remerton Police Department during Coffee with a Cop. He said it was important for him to be in attendance so people can put a face to a department.

“It’s like with every department, trying to make contact with the community so the community can see us in a different light,” he said.