Members of the public got a chance to mingle with police officers last week and enjoy a cup of coffee in the process.
The Windsor Police Service brought its “Coffee with a Cop” program to town and the Amherstburg Detachment last Wednesday afternoon. Officers were on hand at the Bucket List Roastery Café & Eatery at the corner of Murray St. and Ramsay St. meeting with members of the public that came inside.
“We meet with people and it gives them a chance to meet with us,” said Const. Nick Dupuis, the local detachment’s community services officer.
Dupuis said the event gives people a chance to discuss issues they may be having or to simply get to know their police officers better. He said while he can converse with students in schools, initiatives like “Coffee with a Cop” allows adults to mingle with local police officers, opportunities adults don’t often get.
Having opportunities to connect with police outside of a call for service doesn’t always happen without such events, Dupuis indicated.
“People don’t always get a chance to talk to us,” he stated.
Holding it at a relatively new establishment like the Bucket List Roastery Café & Eatery was also something pointed out by Dupuis.
“We want to support new businesses here in town,” he said.
The Rotary Club of Amherstburg helped with “Coffee with a Cop” as they bought the coffee for those who came in.
“We were happy to have their support,” said Dupuis.
The “Coffee with a Cop” event also was the final day for the winter hat and glove drive, which Dupuis was holding in partnership with the Windsor Police COAST (Community Outreach and Support Team) and the Amherstburg Firefighters Association.
“It’s done very well,” said Dupuis. “We have had very generous support from our community for our drive.”
The donated winter hats and gloves will be distributed to people supported through the COAST program, which sees police officers paired with social workers supporting vulnerable people in the community. Dupuis will also take them into local schools that he visits as well as local service organizations such as Amherstburg Community Services (ACS) and the Amherstburg Food and Fellowship Mission.
Dupuis added he hopes to do other charitable collection events throughout the year to fill whatever needs exist at those times.
“Coffee with a Cop” returns to town
By Ron Giofu
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