“Coffee with a Cop”
The Hannibal Police Department (HPD) will begin a community oriented policing program in late June called “Coffee with a Cop”. Originally started by the Hawthorne, California Police Department the program provides an excellent community outreach avenue for officers to engage the public in a non-enforcement and non-investigative mode. “In years past HPD conducted community surveys seeking input from the public and we consistently conduct speaking engagements covering various topics from workplace violence, burglary prevention to employee drug use” stated Chief Davis. “The Coffee with a Cop program seemed like it would be a good fit for Hannibal and we are willing to give it a try locally. The program requires an HPD officer to be present during typically busy periods for residents gathering for breakfast or mid-morning breaks. Officers will converse with the public and discuss a wide range of topics from basic law questions, police procedures and to better clarify misconceptions regarding the law enforcement tactics. By creating more opportunities for the public to converse with the public in a non-enforcement environment should enhance public relations beyond what is typically experienced.”
Three businesses have agreed to allow HPD to start the program with additional businesses to be selected after it is determined the success of the program. The initial locations, dates and times are as follows:
Mark Twain Dinette (8 am – 10 -am)
- June 25th
- July 17th
McDonalds (8 am – 10 am)
- June 26th
- July 18th
Country Kitchen (8 am – 10 am)
- June 27th
- July 16th
