Potsdam police show support during ‘coffee with a cop’ event

By Elizabeth Lewis, Watertown Daily Times
Original article HERE

During a community outreach initiative Friday morning, the Potsdam Police Department met with employees of a Stewart’s Shop, 79 Market St., in light of the recent convenience store burglaries across St. Lawrence County.

“There have been a few incidents like armed robberies and violent acts in the area,” Police Chief Mark R. Murray said. “We want people to know that Potsdam isn’t a place where things like that happen.”

That location in particular has seen a few incidents recently, including some that resulted in disorderly-conduct charges.

“We want the employees here to know we support them and that we definitely appreciate them supporting us,” he said.

Kevin A. Bates retired from the police chief position in August, which caused many promotions and new hires throughout the department.

“I’ve heard some comments from residents who say things like, ‘We used to know all of the cops at the station and now we don’t,’ so I’m trying to change that,” Mr. Murray said. “We want to show the public that we’re coming together as a unit.”

Mr. Murray said he wants to remind the public that police officers are very similar to all of the other Potsdam residents.

“We also have kids who are in the school system, parents who live here and friends who work at the colleges,” he said.

Mr. Murray said the event was successful and the first of many to come. The department plans to meet at 3 Bears Gluten Free Bakery in the near future, but plans have not been finalized.

“This is the first in a long stream of efforts,” he said. “It’s kind of like a coffee shop hop around the village.”