Customers passing through the Weed Starbucks on the morning of June 19 had the chance to be served coffee by a cop. Officers from the California Highway Patrol Mount Shasta office, the Weed Police Department, and the Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Department were present to meet with community members, answer their questions, address concerns and just get to know them.
A revived community outreach initiative is bringing local residents and town and state police officers together in efforts to forge closer relationships between community members and law enforcement. The initiative, called “Coffee with a Cop,” gives those living and working in town a chance to sit down with police officers over a cup of coffee, bring up any questions, concerns or issues, and simply get to know one another, said Resident Trooper Sgt. Michael Rondinone, who revived the initiative in Colchester two months ago.
“There’s been new faces, new places, new businesses, new committee members in the north side and this would be one spot where everybody can come together and work with the neighborhood resource officers and collaborate with new ideas of what they could do for that next step in policing,” said Detective Sergeant Jon Wenger.
In October, the Ashland Division of Police held “Coffee With A Cop,” an event that allowed everyone in the community to interact with those who protect and serve within Ashland. However, the event was held early in the morning and didn’t interest many of Ashland’s younger citizens, leading the department to retool the event for all ages.
If the citizens of Great Falls didn’t know Max Dorsey, Chester County’s new interim sheriff before, they sure do now. Tuesday morning, Dorsey and some of his deputies hosted a “Coffee with a Cop” event at Tiffany’s Diner in Great Falls (with the help of diner owner Tiffany Craig) and then Dorsey went on to visit with some of the seniors at the Great Falls Senior Center and talk to them about law enforcement issues.
“This event was very much a success, we have done prior ‘Coffee with a Cop’ events in other venues,” she said. “Last (week’s) event was a fun way to blend with the community. We met several visitors to Elma who left surprised and with smiles on their face after receiving a beverage or treat from the Police Chief of Elma.”
Supt. Baher said it is important for her to be on the ground, in the community and accessible. “A lot of times, people don’t call us because they think we’re busy,” Baher said. “Maybe they want to have a conversation with us and they don’t have that opportunity.”
“Coffee with a Cop is a bridge, a conduit between police and the community in a very positive way,” said Chief Gerbino. “This is about establishing positive relationships.”
Kearney Police met with families in March at Starbucks and Saturday afternoon at Java Junction. Owner of the independent coffee shop, Theresa Sweet was excited to hold the event at her store, she says it’s significant for kids to meet with police officers one-on-one. “I think it’s real important for the kiddos to come and have a handshake with them, give them a high five and even stand next to them, boost their confidence and say, ‘it’s okay, they’re okay,’ you know, they’re here to protect us and keep us safe,” Sweet said.
Kahler Stultz, of Denton, attended Coffee with the Cop for the first time, interested in the Easton Police Department application process. He was impressed with the patience and welcome while asking about the application process.
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