BY LAURIE WEIR
Ontario Provincial Police officers have been hanging out at local coffee shops in Lanark County and Rideau Lakes as part of an effort to build relationships with local citizens.
Crime Stoppers is sponsoring January events as part of Crime Stoppers Month, said Erin Rose, who is the public coordinator for Lanark County Crime Stoppers.
“It’s a nice way for people to sit and chat with an officer in uniform when they know they aren’t busy,” Rose said.
This initiative brings police officers and the community together to share a coffee and discuss issues. It’s also an opportunity to learn about each other.
The mission of Coffee with a Cop is to break barriers in those communities they serve.
There have been a few events already this month, and Rose said they’ve been hits with the residents.
There are just three more times to chat with a cop over coffee this month, including in Almonte at the Equator on Jan. 23, Ottawa Valley Coffee in Almonte on Jan. 25, and at the Recess Café in Portland on Jan. 31. All times are from 9 to 11 a.m.
Previous events included stops in Carleton Place at the Foundry Collective and Coffee Bar, and at Deadly Grounds Café and Curiosities, and in Perth at Coutts Coffee Roastery and Café and Hourglass.