Two upcoming informal gatherings dubbed Coffee with a Cop offer
the opportunity to meet and talk with police officers.
The first event is March 9 and a second event will be held March
23. Both events are scheduled from 9 to 11 a.m. and both will be
held at Mile High Coffee, 871 Englewood Parkway.
The March 9 event provides the opportunity to meet and talk with
members of the impact team while the traffic team will be on hand
for the March 23 gathering.
“For about a year, we’ve had a couple times when officers just
dropped by unannounced at one of the local restaurants specifically
to talk with residents,” said Tom Vandermee, police chief. “It went
well, so this time we figured we’d let people know the event was
happening. It is very informal so we hope residents will see it as
a chance to talk with officers and perhaps ask questions about
department programs or about law enforcement in general.”
Toni Geier, police community relations representative, suggested
the program.
“The impromptu events have had a good response so we thought
we’d let people know in advance we were having the next two
events,” she said. “The events are very informal and, so far,
people seem to like the chance to meet the officers and chat with
them about a variety of subjects. I think it’s sort of cool that we
can do this.”
The March 9 meeting is the chance to meet the impact team. The
five officers assigned to the team will be very visible,
particularly when the weather warms up as they will patrol the
downtown business district and parks on bicycles.
They also will focus specifically on issues that have an impact
on the community and its quality of life.
The March 23 meeting is the chance to meet the traffic team. The
officers assigned to the team focus on traffic issues including
investigating accidents and enforcing traffic laws including speed
limits. Weather permitting, several of the officers patrol the
streets on their motorcycles.
