Making the most of a cliche, Quincy Police meet residents for coffee

By Joe DiFazio, The Patriot Ledger
Original article HERE

Turning a shopworn stereotype to his advantage, Police Chief Paul Keenan held an informal office hour on Tuesday morning at the original Dunkin’ Donuts on Southern Artery.

Quincy police officers, some of whom had just come off of an overnight shift, greeted customers as they entered the shop. They didn’t have an agenda as they made small talk in a casual atmosphere in the first in a planned series of Coffee with a Cop events.

“A lot of communities are starting to do this because it associates the cops with the community and we get out in a non-confrontational setting and it brings the community together with the police officers,” Keenan said. “It’s good to interact with the community when we can.”

Ken Chia said he learned about the event on Facebook and wanted to get to know some of the police.

“I wanted to meet the officers and see what’s going on, and so I know who to talk to,” Chia said.

Chia also raised a concern he had about parking around Euclid Avenue near where he lives in Quincy Center.

Police officers handed out stickers and pencils to children who showed up.

“It was a really great experience seeing how they protect our home and community and it was really cool talking to them just one on one,” said Brendan Duddy, the 9-year-old son of police dispatcher Lizzy Duddy.

Sgt. Karyn Barkas said when people interact with police, it’s often in a stressful situation. She said Coffee with a Cop allows people to speak with officers in a calmer setting.

“This gives us the opportunity to meet residents and gives them the opportunity to meet us … it’s a positive experience,” Barkas said.

Ward 1 City Councilor David McCarthy praised the police for holding the meet and greet.

“It’s big in regards to one word: trust,” McCarthy said. “You meet someone and you know someone … and you see a familiar face and there’s trust. You can go to him and approach him if you have an issue.”

The event is the first in a series of four. The next is scheduled for 10 a.m. to noon Thursday, Aug. 23, at Dunkin’ Donuts, 825 Southern Artery.