First ‘coffee with a cop’ a success

By Karina Cheung, WTAJ
Original article HERE

Earlier this week, we told you about a special event a local police department hosted to bridge the gap between police and the community.

Huntingdon County native Charles Streightiff has been on the job since 2001.

‘Coffee with a Cop’ was his idea. He says relations with Juniata College and drugs were the main concerns that residents brought to the table.

“We also discussed some neighborhood watch groups, how to get them established. We have two existing in the borough now and I know some residents were curious as to how to get their own neighborhoods involved and their own watch group”

Streightiff was at Standing Stone Coffee Company for three hours chatting with community members.

He says many are worried about the ongoing drug epidemic and want to know how the department handles those types of cases.

“Many didn’t know that all of our officers in Huntingdon Borough Police Department are all sworn Huntingdon County Detectives  which gives them the ability to conduct criminal investigations involving drugs throughout the county.”

Corporal Steightiff wants to remind residents they don’t need a ‘Coffee with a Cop’ event to get in touch with an officer. He says they’re always here at the borough and ready to answer their questions.

“I can’t stress enough if you have questions concerns or there are problems going on, get a hold of us. We are more than willing to talk,” he said.  “I’m happy to do that anytime. It doesn’t just have to be in this setting, Our doors are always open we’re there 24/7.”

Streightiff hopes to make ‘coffee with a cop’ a regular event in the borough.

He says there are new faces in the department and this is a great way to make both officers and residents familiar with each other.