Coffee with a Cop lets Savannah police, community interact

By Brittini Ray, Savannah Now
Original article HERE

Thursday morning there was coffee instead of cuffs as residents got to meet and greet with those sworn to protect and serve.

The public got a chance to interact with Savannah officers in an informal setting Thursday at Duck Donuts, during the police department’s Coffee With A Cop event.

“This is probably the third one I’ve done,” said Officer Thomas Norris. “Every time we do them we have a great turn out. A lot of citizens show up and ask questions. … It’s great to interact with the kids. They get more comfortable with us and they realize that we’re very friendly and that they can approach us.”

From 10 to 11:15 a.m. people streamed in and out of the donut shop talking with officers about crime numbers, the incoming chief and new things regarding the police department.

The purpose of the event is to present law enforcement in a friendly and casual setting, said police spokeswoman Keturah Greene.

“A lot of times the interaction that people have with officers is when something bad is happening,” Greene said. “So this gives an opportunity where they can come and meet them in a casual setting over coffee.”

The morning event is also organized to encourage residents to reach out to police with information, according to Detective Rodney Cooper.

“We want the community to know that we’re always here for them to come and talk with us,” he said. “It’s kind of like an open door with us. We want them to feel welcome to provide information of what’s going on in their neighborhoods, which is very valuable to us in investigations or street operations. So this helps open up a line of communication between us and the citizens in our community.”

Coffee with a Cop is just one of the police department’s latest attempts to showcase another side of the badge.

This week the police department debuted its own lip sync video where officers rock out to Wilson Phillips’ hit “Hold On,” as they catch a criminal.

“We want the public to know that we’re human just like them,” Norris said.