"Coffee with a Cop" Brings out Community for a Cup and a Chat

If you noticed police cars outside the Seville Diner on Thursday morning, there weren't any emergencies afoot - just a number of officers having a cup of coffee with residents.

The event was the department's first endeavor into "Coffee with a Cop", a community event meant to bring together East Brunswick residents and police officers for an informal meet-and-greet.

Capt. Dan Melnick said the event was a success, attended by many people who simply wanted to sit and chat with police, rather than bring problems or pressing questions to them.

A representative from every division in the department was present, Melnick said.

"Coffee with a Cop" is a national initiative that started with the Hawthorne, Calif. police department. It is meant to improve the relationships between local police forces and their communities, and has since spread to departments around the U.S.

Deputy Chief William Krause said the office will review the event to measure how well it went, but he hopes to be able to make it a quarterly event going forward.

"We meet the public we serve under the worst of circumstances," he said.

To be able to meet in a relaxed setting to talk about what's going on in East Brunswick is of great worst to the department, he said.

Melnick agreed.

"It makes my life easier," he said. "It's really them getting to know us and us getting to know them," he said.