Emma Pritchard
Clarence Valley residents had the opportunity to meet members of the Coffs/Clarence Police District last week, and to sit and speak with them over a delicious hot beverage at Heart and Soul Espresso Bar in South Grafton as they shared their ‘coffee with a cop’.
An informal event which encourages the community to engage with their local police officers, break down barriers, and share any concerns they may have, ‘coffee with a cop’ has been held sporadically throughout the past couple of years at different settings across the region, and is also aimed at building positive working relationships and informative and supportive networks.
As he chatted happily with members of the public on April 5, Coffs/Clarence Police District Acting Chief Inspector Nick Wiles said ‘coffee with a cop’ has always been a successful local initiative, adding he and his fellow officers are always more than willing to engage with the local community and encourage residents to actively speak with police about any concerns they may have.
When asked if there were any significant issues raised last week, Acting Chief Inspector Wiles said a number of people had spoken to police officers about property offences including breaking into houses and vehicles.
“80 percent of those houses and vehicles were not locked at the time of the offences,” he said.
“One of the messages we are trying to get out there is to make sure you lock your house and your car.
“Sharing important information and advice with the community is another benefit of hosting these events.”
For young Grafton resident Lilly Moran, who prepared several questions especially for the occasion, ‘coffee with a cop’ was an opportunity to learn about the important roles of police officers in her local community, to see what the inside a police car looked like, and to learn about what happens to criminals after police capture them.
As she spoke with Youth and Crime Prevention Officer Jess Stamper, Lilly revealed she learned about the importance of obeying the laws and why they are enforced to help keep people safe, and what happens when police take criminals to court after initially believing they were taken straight to gaol.
“I was really excited to learn new things about the police and what they do,” she said.
Acting Chief Inspector Wiles said further ‘coffee with a cop’ events will be held at later dates.