The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Officers meet and greet community
Traffic flow among most popular topics, police say
Avon Police Department officers went out to meet and greet the community Feb. 13 for their most recent Coffee with a Cop at Avon Starbucks.
“We do this at least twice a year,” said police Chief Richard Bosley. “We move the location to different shops throughout the city to get a good mixture of folks depending on what restaurant they prefer.
“It’s great to come out here to get to know people and connect with the community.”
Jeffrey Phail, Avon police chaplain, said he loves being at events where they meet with residents.
“It makes police more accessible,” Phail said. “People come in and ask questions, mostly about traffic flow.
“But some come in just to thank officers for their service. It’s great to see.”
Public Information Officer Jim Drozdowski said the event was something the community had to warm up to.
“People were curious at first what the event was about,” Drozdowski said. “The event was advertised, and all that, but it took awhile for people to understand we are here to talk about what they want to discuss.”
Drozdowski said he likes these events because it allows him to shed light on a what police are doing in the community.
“I had one resident ask me, at one of these, about the house watch program,” he said. “He was wondering why he saw footprints in the snow around his house.
“I told him that was the police officer. They don’t just drive by the house, they get out of the car, walk around and check on door and window security.
“He was happy to hear that and said he was going immediately home to tell his wife; that’s why we do it.”
John Chantler, an Avon resident, said the event was really cool.
“It’s very impressive to see these officers come here,” Chantler said. “It’s so important for the community to come here and see they are humans just like you and me.
“It’s nice to get to know these guys.”
Ryan Workman, who is the children’s pastor at Christian Heritage Church in Avon, said it was great talking with the officers.
“They do a good job in this community,” Workman said. “It’s good for officers to get out and talk with people; it’s a great thing they do.”
Avon police Capt. Larry Fischbach said the event is a two-way street.
“It’s good for the community to ask questions, but it’s also good for officers,” Fischbach said. “It’s good to hear that feedback and to interact with folks.
“It allows officers to learn more about the folks they serve, and it’s gratifying for officers to get that feedback.”
OPIOID EPIDEMIC
“It’s good for officers to get out and talk with people; it’s a great thing they do.” — Ryan Workman, children’s pastor at Christian Heritage Church