MORGANTOWN — Area residents had an opportunity to interact with police in a casual relaxed environment Wednesday during the third annual Coffee with a Cop Day.
“It’s a way for police that work in a community to get to know people in a casual way, ask questions and for us to learn about problems and concerns in a community,” Deputy Chief E. Powell of the Morgantown Police Department said.
MPD hosted two events at McDonald’s on University Avenue and Earl L. Core Road.
Powell said police have always relied on the public for information on everything from identifying problems to crimes committed. He said sometimes people can be reluctant to come forward and speak to police and that Wednesday’s event could help people become more comfortable with police.
Lieutenant T. Thomas with University Police said it’s important for police to be approachable and for the public to see them as more than just an officer, but as an individual too. He said the event was a way to build bridges with the people they serve.
Coffee with a Cop was started in Hawthorne, California in 2011 by officers with the Hawthorne Police Department who were looking for ways to more successfully interact with citizens, according to the organization’s website.
Tweet Will Dean @WillDean_DP; wdean@domininionpost.com
