By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Tim Horton’s coffee shop was probably the safest place to be in Bowling Green Wednesday morning … as long as you weren’t cracking any jokes about cops and doughnuts.
The first “Coffee with a Cop” event packed the place with police and citizens wanting a chance to chat.
“We want people to be comfortable talking with us,” said BG Police Chief Tony Hetrick.
The chief was getting a variety of input from citizens, some with concerns about neighborhood issues like loud parties and littering, and some just wanting to say “thank you” to the police.
“It was a mix of a lot of different things,” Hetrick said.
Sitting at one table were Lt. Brad Biller and Lt. Dan Mancuso, talking with citizens as they stopped to chat.
“It’s been very positive,” Mancuso said.
“People are saying things are going in a good direction,” Biller said.
Some citizens had specific concerns, such as the woman who was recently widowed and was worried about personal security at her home.
Citizens and police officers fill Tim Horton’s Wednesday morning.
Others came with praise for specific officers, like Pam Leid, who wanted the chief to know about a particular patrolman who has been very helpful. “This patrolman has done a superb job and the chief needs to hear that,” she said.
Mike Crawford came to show his support for local officers. He served 16 years on the force, and his son is currently with the department. But Crawford said the current climate makes it very difficult to be a police officer.
“Quite candidly, I wouldn’t do it now for anything,” he said.
Linda Lander was there as a member of the Not In Our Town organization. “This is a nice opportunity to talk one on one,” she said. “It’s a two-way street.”
Bowling Green State University police also showed up for coffee and conversation.
“It gives people in the community a chance to have an informal conversation,” BGSU Police Captain Michael Campbell said.
BGSU Police Chief Monica Moll said it’s always better to get to know people in a pleasant setting rather than meeting them during a crisis.
“It’s great to sit down over a coffee and a doughnut, and get to know each other as people,” Moll said. “Cops are human beings, too.”
Moll said she is already thinking about the next community get together – maybe at a barbecue.
“It’s been a great turnout,” she said. “They are appreciating the opportunity to have a conversation.”
Hetrick is also thinking about duplicating the gatherings, perhaps quarterly. The next one could be over ice cream, he said.
