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Norfolk OPP hold informal gatherings with area residents
By Jacob Robinson, Simcoe Reformer
Original article HERE
Generally speaking, folks should stay away from a business when multiple police vehicles are present. That wasn’t the case on Thursday afternoon in Port Rowan though.
Members of Norfolk OPP, including interim Detachment Commander Lisa Anderson and Staff Sgt. Joe Varga were at Uncle’s Country Coffee spending time with local residents as part of the inaugural Tea with the OPP event in the county.
Similar to the Coffee with a Cop initiative held elsewhere, the gathering allowed locals to chat with officers, learn more about the profession, and the detachment in general.
“I like to see the police,” said Rose Kuehn of Port Rowan. “They’re welcome here.”
Kuehn and her husband Dieter stopped in to grab some lunch and soon found themselves in conversation with Anderson, the new chief.
“When she came by and introduced herself we had a couple questions to ask her,” Rose added.
Across the room, Varga conversed with a table of four, including Rebecca and Bruce Caverly of Tillsonburg.
“I think it’s a great opportunity for the public to see the police out in the community,” said Rebecca. “When they’re visible I would hope that they get more co-operation so it’s a wonderful idea.”
Norfolk Ward 1 Councillor Noel Haydt was on hand with police. Earlier this month, Haydt revealed that not only had St. Williams established a Neighbourhood Watch program, but one is also taking shape in Port Rowan. A cottage watch program has also been created in Long Point. Actions by citizens have stemmed from rising crime rates in the area. Haydt referred to a recent one week period that saw 14 break-and-enters in the Port Rowan region alone.
In addition to citizen-led groups, there is also a need for an OPP presence in small communities like Port Rowan, Rebecca Caverly said.
“It’s very, very important to have that presence so people see that they’re visible, they’re approachable, and they’re part of the community – they’re not separate,” she explained.
Added Bruce, “A lot of people have a lot of questions, just about day to day, how they operate and what it’s like working in the community itself. You want to make sure that door is open between the public and the police.”
Plans are already underway to hold Tea with the OPP event at other locations in Norfolk.
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