Yonkers kicks off 2018 “Coffee with a Cop”

By News12 Westchester
Original article HERE

People in Westchester are grabbing a cup of coffee with the men and women in blue today.

?The Yonkers Police Department kicked off its 2018 “Coffee with a Cop” initiative at Malecon restaurant on McLean Avenue today.

From the rank and file, to police brass, and even the commissioner himself, Yonkers police stepped away from their precincts for a couple of hours this morning to take part in the department’s annual “Coffee with a Cop” program.

The casual meet and greet, usually  at a local restaurant, is designed to bring police officers and community members together over a cup of Joe. The hope is that they can discuss issues and learn more about each other.

Commissioner Charles Gardner says the program has had a positive impact all around. “Oftentimes, when people have contact with law enforcement, it’s in an excited setting or emergency situation. So this is an opportunity, in a calm setting, to just sit down and talk about anything,” says Gardener.

This is the third year the Yonkers Police Department has sponsored this initiative. Several more events are planned for later this year.