Glasgow Celebrates Coffee with a Cop

By Michelle Bigelbach, The Courier
Original article HERE

On a chilly, snowy Wednesday morning, officers from the Glasgow Police Department, deputies from the Valley County Sheriff’s office and Montana Highway Patrol officers came out and chatted with local residents at both the Loaded Toad and Hot Shots Espresso to celebrate National Coffee with a Cop Day on Oct. 3. Thanks to a generous donation from First Community Bank, the first $100 worth of coffees purchased at each coffee shop was paid for.

The event, held since 2011 nationally, brings together police officers and the community members they serve over a cup of coffee, to discuss issues and learn more about each other.

Administrative assistant to the Glasgow Police Department Kathy Granger first heard about this event via a postcard that was sent to the GPD via mail. “I saw the postcard, and immediately brought it to Brien (Gault) as something we should implement in the city. Gault was excited and onboard. We then brought it up to the Sheriff’s Department and the Montana Highway Patrol, and they were equally excited to take part,” said Granger.

There were a total of seven officers who participated in the event this year between the two coffee shops while Deputy and Write-In Sheriff Candidate Tom Boyer was put to work at Hot Shots working the drive-thru. “I enjoyed being able to chat with everyone who came through the line,” said Boyer.

The event is also held statewide with some cities doing the event multiple times a year. “In other parts of the state, the city gets together with the public on a quarterly basis. What better way to change the perception of the public than to have coffee and chat with them,” said Chief Gault.

Plans are already in the works to make this event a yearly occurrence in Glasgow, with the continued support of the coffee shops in town of course. “We are hoping to have this event on a weekend, and even do an event in the summer so more people will have the time to attend. Though for the first year, I’m happy with the turnout,” Gault said.