RCMP coffee chat packed

By John K. White, Castanet
Original article HERE

There was a solid turnout for the sixth Coffee With a Cop event in Vernon on Monday.

Vernon North Okanagan RCMP Supt. Shawna Baher was on hand, as were as many as 10 officers and members, at the Starbucks at Union Plaza.

Several pockets of conversations were happening inside and outside of the cafe.

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.”

Baher said there is growing interest in the work being done to combat vagrancy, open drug use and vandalism, primarily in downtown Vernon.

“In the downtown area there’s obviously been a lot of topical issues in relation to street crime and drugs,” Baher said. “We’re just trying to get to know the community, let them know what’s available, and let them know that these are the people that are policing your area.”