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Lemoore residents chat with police
By Mike Elman, The Sentinel
Original article HERE
Dozens of Lemoore residents stopped to chat with local law enforcement officers Monday morning over coffee and doughnuts.
The Lemoore Police Department hosted Coffee with a Cop at the Fastrip food store on Lemoore Avenue and Cinnamon Drive. While the event allows residents to ask questions and discuss concerns with officers, Lemoore police Officer Jason Stephens said most people just wanted to shoot the breeze.
“They’re surprised and happy that we’re here getting to know them,” Stephens said.
Coffee with a Cop is a nationwide initiative supported by the U.S. Department of Justice. Law enforcement agencies have held similar events across the country to improve relationships between officers and community members.
The Lemoore Police Department has held several Coffee with a Cop events over the past few years at locations including the Lemoore Senior Center, Foster’s Freeze and Starbucks.
Lemoore police Officer Luke Tran said the events typically have a good turnout. Monday’s effort was no exception.
“Everybody’s always friendly,” Tran said. “It’s a nice opportunity to meet the people in the community.”
Fastrip manager Al Perryman said the store’s corporate office regularly hosts the events at its Bakersfield stores. Perryman said the Lemoore store was an ideal location for Coffee with a Cop because of the hundreds of people who buy gas or food on any given morning.
“It’s sitting on one of the busiest corners here in Lemoore,” Perryman said.
Stephens said many residents only interact with police during a stressful event. Those situations don’t always provide an opportunity to build positive relationships.
Stephens said Monday’s event was configured to feel more inviting than LPD’s previous efforts. Officers set up a booth with free coffee and doughnuts along Lemoore Avenue to make themselves visible to Fastrip customers.
A number of people wandered over to see what was going on. Officers periodically invited customers who were pumping gas to chat with officers and enjoy some refreshments.
“It’s a little unique because it’s outdoors,” Stephens said. “It’s a little bit different feel.”
Some residents came to Fastrip just for the event.
Jim Burr, a longtime Lemoore resident, said he believes many people appreciate the police, but few of them will stop to say, “Thank you.”
“I made a special trip to come down here,” Burr said. “The police face a lot of difficulties. I want to let them know that they’re appreciated.”
Lemoore resident Patricia Getzfred said she mostly wanted to get to know some local police officers. Getzfred said an officer also answered her questions about reporting municipal code violations like overgrown yards.
“This is a really good thing to do,” Getzfred said. “There are too many people who do not trust the police. The police are our first line of defense.”
Officers from the California Highway Patrol and the Kings County Probation Department also attended Monday’s event to speak with residents. Stephens said the presence of other agencies allows people to meet with officers they might not meet otherwise.
“We’re all part of the same team at the end of the day, regardless of the agency we work for,” Stephens said.
