On Wednesday, February 16th, Buchanan community members have a chance to get involved in a local law enforcement forum at Union Coffee House & Cafe on Front Street in Buchanan.
Beginning at 9 a.m, ‘Coffee With A Cop’ will include Michigan State Police troopers, deputies from the Berrien County Sheriff’s Department, and officers of the Buchanan Police Department as they gather for a community discussion that is open to the public.
This informal assembly will serve as a neutral space for discussing community issues and opening a line of communication with people of the area. It will aid in advancing the practice of community policing by building relationships between police officers and community members, one cup of coffee at a time.
“We hope that community members will feel comfortable to ask questions, bring concerns, or simply get to know our troopers”, says Michigan State Police Trooper Holly Higgs. “These interactions are the foundation of community partnerships.”
Coffee With A Cop provides a unique opportunity for community members to ask questions and learn more about the departments’ work in the area. The majority of contact law enforcement has with members of the community only occurs during emergencies and emotional situations, and this event will help break down barriers and provide a relaxed, more personal interaction.
The forum will last roughly two hours, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., and is open to all community members. Union Coffee House & Cafe is located at 115 E. Front Street.
Launched in Hawthorne, California in 2011, Coffee With A Cop now reaches all fifty states, and is one of the most successful community-oriented policing programs across the nation.
By Jocelyne Tuszynski, MOTM contributor
