Kids have Hot Chocolate with a Cop in Machesney Park

By WIFR
Original article HERE

Nothing can unite kids and cops better than a little conversation and cocoa.

A time for bonding was the thinking behind the Winnebago County Sheriff Department’s Hot Chocolate with a Cop program.

Kids could chat and ask questions of deputies while enjoying some free hot chocolate and cookies at the Starbucks in Machesney Park. There was also an opportunity to pet the department’s therapy dogs and see McGruff the Crime Dog.

“Sometimes the kids are afraid to approach a police officer. So it’s just nice for them to know that we’re just regular people. We drink hot chocolate and eat some gummies,” said sergeant Tammie Stanley.

Hot Chocolate with a Cop is a spinoff of the national Coffee with a Cop event for adults in October.