RPD builds community connections over a cup of coffee

By K. Fitzgerald, Fox47
Original article HERE

Police officers respond to emergencies, but today folks got a chance to speak to them in a more relaxed setting.

Coffee with a cop is happening every quarter, with a new location each time.

Today, police made themselves available at Saint James Coffee.

Officers spent the morning chatting with locals to hear their concerns.

They also mean to build long-lasting relationships with the community.

After about 5 months on the job, RPD Chief Jim Franklin appreciated the chance to learn more about the people he serves.

“Oftentimes, the only time the public, the citizens that we serve have contact with local law enforcement is in a time of crisis, or in a time of negative enforcement activity,” Chief Franklin said. “This is a way that we can kind of build up that relationship, have that conversation, in a time of non crisis and non crisis activity.”

Riley the bomb-sniffing Canine also made an appearance, and received a warm welcome from the crowd at Saint James.

Coffee with a cop is a nationwide initiative that started in California, and Chief Franklin said he’s excited to see it pay off in Rochester.