August 21, 2017

Coffee with A Cop brings residents, police together in downtown Aiken

By Tripp Girardeau, Aiken Standard
Original article HERE

Residents and officers had coffee and breakfast together Thursday morning at What’s Cookin’ Downtown on Laurens Street in Aiken.

The Aiken Department of Public Safety has multiple Coffee with A Cop events each year, and each event offers a way for residents to interact with officers on a one-on-one level.

“We’re here talking with people in the community to tell about what we do and hear any concerns they might have,” said Lt. Craig Burgess, with Aiken Public Safety.

Aiken Public Safety Chief Charles Barranco was also available Thursday morning to speak with residents.

“I just met two ladies here that live in an area of town that they had some questions about and wanting to know what was going on,” Barranco said. “Being able to have that dialogue with them is what this all about.”

“Information is very valuable,” he said. “I’ve said many times that we have a huge responsibility to keep the people of this city safe, but we can’t do it by ourselves. The relationships that we built at these types of events is really what makes a difference.”

Officer Dwayne Brown said he is new to the department and wanted to meet some of the members of the public.

“I’m here to meet with the community and try to put a good face out for Public Safety,” Brown said. “We want to show the people that we are involved and we care.”

Chief Barranco said, “They have an invested interest in this community, and we have an invested interest in their safety.”