Coffee With a Cop initiative connects law enforcement and community

By Katarina Vergara, WEAU
Original article HERE

The Eau Claire Police Department says “Coffee With a Cop” is a continued initiative that has allowed them to form close relationships with people in the community and ultimately make it safer.

The Living Room Coffee House and ECPD teamed up for the event Tuesday afternoon.

Organizers at the coffee house say working with the department is always a privilege.

“I really enjoy doing it because I love being part of the community and getting to know the people who are protecting us,” said Madison Lovelin, whose family owns the business.

Unlike most events in the community where the department hosts hundreds at a time, Roder said “Coffee With a Cop” is meant to be more intimate.

“We want it to be very simple,” said Roder. “We say no agenda just coffee. We’re not here to promote anything we’re doing, we’re here to listen, we’re here to talk and meet people.”

He says it’s important for the community to get to know officers.

“At the end of the day we go home to our families as well,” said Roder. “We want people to meet us on a personal level and of course we want them to come and have some good coffee.”