Newport grabs coffee with the cops

By Stephanie Blair, Newport News Times
Original article HERE

A customer proclaimed with a smile that the Newport Starbucks must have been the safest place in town on Wednesday morning, what with all the law enforcement in the shop. On Dec. 18, the Newport Police Department hosted their first-ever “Coffee with a Cop” event, which gave citizens an opportunity to have a one-on-one chat with a local police officer over a cup of joe.

Police Chief Jason Malloy said that the idea for the event came from the local Starbucks manager, Brett, and NPD’s own Lieutenant Brent Gainer.

“They just were talking about … something for us to be involved with the community and the community to be involved with us,” said Malloy. “And this is a popular place.”

Though many customers were unaware of the event before walking in the door, many immediately struck up conversations of varying lengths with the officers — before and after ordering.

“I love this idea,” said James, of Portland, who was visiting Newport on business. “I think more places should do this. I think it’s great.”

“Everybody’s very receptive,” Malloy said, 30 minutes into the event, “and I think we’re going to start branching out into actually helping people — we’re learning about coffee right now.”

In addition to being treated to samples of the famous Starbucks Christmas Blend coffee and food items, the officers present were also given a look behind the scenes at how the baristas run things on the other side of the counter.

When asked if the department will do another “Coffee with a Cop” event in the future, Malloy answered: “Oh yeah, absolutely. I think so.”