POTTSTOWN >> The Pottstown Police Department hosted its first “Coffee With A Cop” event Thursday and the response from the community was overwhelming.
Several Pottstown police officers joined community members at Connections on High Cafe, 238 E High St., Thursday to share a cup of free coffee and get to know the residents they serve. The event was designed to allow citizens to meet law enforcement in a casual setting and open the door to conversation about anything from sports to serious concerns in their neighborhoods.
“The whole discussion in Pottstown is what we can do to bring people together,” said Capt. Robert Thomas. “We thought it was really cool to bring the local policemen together and show that they are human. Show that they care about the community not just by keeping the law and order but by actually communicating and talking with people.”
Members of the Pottstown Police Department who were out talking to residents included Capt. Thomas, Sgt. Edward Kropp and Officers Michael Breslin, Anthony Fisher, Brandon Unruh, Andrew Licwinko and Greg Fritz.
By around 1 p.m., community members and officers filled the small room at the front of Connections on High.
“I’ve met some new people. I’ve met Mr. Brown who has apparently lived here for quite some time and he went through our citizens police academy but I met him for the first time today,” Thomas said. “Everything has been very cordial and very light.”
Residents who showed up were equally pleased with the turnout and the opportunity to speak with officers. The event even drew in people from out of the area who work in Pottstown and want to get more involved in the community.
“Really I just wanted to meet with police officers in the community and whoever else also came out and wanted to be a more active part of Pottstown,” said Bill Angle of Philadelphia, who works at a law firm in the borough. “We talked about this program and how it got started … I suggested barbecue instead of coffee because everybody likes barbecue,” he laughed.
The event lasted from noon to 2 p.m. with steady streams of people coming in to speak with officers.
Police Chief Richard Drumheller stated last week that the department hopes to make “Coffee With A Cop” a recurring event with changing locations throughout town each time.
