TEWKSBURY – Chief Ryan Columbus and the Tewksbury Police Department would like to invite community members to sit down and converse with police officers at several events around town early next month.
On Wednesday, Oct. 5, from 7 to 10 a.m., police officers and command staff will be on hand at Perfecto’s Caffe, 1900 Main St., and Cumberland Farms, 270 Main St., for Coffee With a Cop.
Coffee With a Cop is a program aimed at facilitating police sharing informal conversation and a cup of coffee/refreshments with community members. The community is encouraged to take this opportunity to bring forth concerns or questions or to get to know some of the members of the Department.
Similarly, in collaboration with the Tewksbury School Department, police officers will also be on hand during the lunch at the local elementary schools on this date for a spinoff program “Milk with a Cop.”
Officers will get to know elementary school students, working to form relationships with youth and to create positive interactions and conversations between youth and law enforcement.
Coffee with a Cop brings police officers and the community members they serve together — over coffee — to discuss issues and learn more about each other. It has proven to be a great way to build relationships. The key to Coffee with a Cop’s growing success is that it opens the door for interactions outside of crises situations.
“I hope community members will stop by and get to know some of our officers and command staff over coffee and warm conversation,” said Chief Columbus. “The Tewksbury Police Department is a community-focused organization, and we place tremendous value on maintaining open and friendly communication with all members of our community.”
For more information, contact Community Service Officer Jennie Welch at 978-851-7373, ext 230, or email: jwelch@tewksbury-ma.gov.