By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Bowling Green police officers are accustomed to hearing complaints or safety concerns of local citizens at the regular “Coffee with Cops” gatherings.
But on Thursday, the officers got a sweet treat from a 4-year-old girl who wanted to say thanks.
Claire Zmudzinski presented the police with a plate of frosted cut-out cookies.
“Cuz they help us,” Claire said in her small voice. “And they protect us.”
The cookies were cut in the shapes of police badges and doughnuts (yes, the Bowling Green Police Division takes that with a grain of salt – or in this case, sugar.)
And there were cookies in the shape of dog bones for Arci, the city’s K-9 officer.
The police aren’t used to getting a plate of goodies when they meet with citizens over coffee.
“This is the first time,” Police Chief Tony Hetrick said. “It’s very sweet.”
The rest of the morning at Biggby Coffee, in downtown Bowling Green, was pretty typical.
“People have been appreciative, and said ‘Thank you for what you do,’” the chief said. “Other people are just wanting to say hi.”
One citizen voiced annoyance at the ongoing downtown construction. The police have nothing to do with the construction – but the citizen just needed to express his frustration.
“He felt like it’s never going to end,” Hetrick said.
Some residents talked to the police about the video that went viral of officers dealing with multiple assaults on East Court Street last month.
“One person thought it was too bad that goes on,” Hetrick said. “They sympathized with the officers.”
Lt. Dan Mancuso talked with a couple journalism students from Bowling Green State University about how they can get police reports in a timely manner for the campus newspaper.
Mancuso was also approached by a little girl who had questions about his handcuffs.
“She has her own set at home. She wanted to tell me about them,” he said.
For Deputy Chief Justin White, the morning was an opportunity to talk with Leslie Galan about partnerships between the city police division and the university. The two used to serve on Not In Our Town Bowling Green together.
“The beginning of the school year is going well,” White said.
The city police and BGSU police team up to hold the “Coffee with Cops” event at least once a year, rotating it among different coffee shops.
Some citizens are just more comfortable talking with police over a cup of coffee, than at the station.
“We do this so people feel they can come talk with us,” White said.
“It’s a good time to meet with people,” Hetrick said. And, in this case, an opportunity to get a plate of freshly baked cookies.
