March 31, 2017

Residents mingle with Summerville police

By Monica Kreber, The Summerville Journal Scene
Original article HERE

There was a heavy police presence at Biggby Coffee Wednesday morning – but not for any particular reason other than Summerville Police simply trying to get acquainted with residents.

Coffee with a Cop is a fairly new event the Summerville Police Department is organizing for members to come out and chat with officers – whether it is just to get an introduction or to talk about ongoing concerns in the community.

The event took place first thing in the morning March 29. More than a dozen officers showed up at Biggby Coffee. This is the second time the department has organized the event; they previously met up at Coastal Coffee Roasters.

Chief Jon Rogers said the department hopes to host the event a couple of times a year and do so at different locations; he said it is an opportunity to meet and get to know the residents in the area.

The last event, he said, had a good resident turnout.

“We had a lot of officers, too, which is really neat,” he said.

The handful of residents who came out Wednesday said had different reasons for coming – mainly to show support and to network.

Dorchester County resident Cheryl Erckert, mother of the late officer Robert Blajszczak, said recalled 2014 being a tough year for her when her son suffered a massive heart attack and passed away that October. Her daughter passed away two days later in an accident. Erckert’s husband was also diagnosed with cancer shortly afterward.

Erckert said she has had a lot of help and support from the police department.

“They’re wonderful people,” she said.

Erckert said she knows a handful of the officers.

“I’m getting to know more of them on a personal level,” she said.

Counselors with the Charleston Dorchester Mental Health Center also came to meet and greet with the officers. Rebecca Ann Scott, licensed professional counselor supervisor, said it was a chance to network with them.

“Occasionally we’ll have clients in common,” she said, adding they wanted to let the officers know who they are.

Catherine Martin stopped by with her service dog, Kurbee, to show support for the officers.

“We just wanted to come out and see all you people,” she told the officers while Kurbee received pets on the head (he knows anyone in a uniform is allowed to pet him). “It’s so nice to have you guys come out.”