COFFEE WITH THE COPS
Members of the police department meet and greet with residents at community event
The negative reaction towards law enforcement agencies across the nation has reached a fever pitch in recent months, making it all the more important to the Saratoga Springs Police Department to get to know their community.
“Nowadays I think it’s especially important because the way people look at police negatively, I think it’s good to show people that’s not necessarily how we are,” said patrol officer Amy Evertsen. “We’re here to help you, that’s what we do.”
Volunteers from the police department participated in “Coffee with a Cop” on Wednesday in the Public Library. It was a chance for members of the public to have a casual conversation with an officer, and for officers to better get to know community members.
Reference Librarian Caitlin Sheldon brought the nationally known program to Saratoga Springs, the first in the area. Additional dates are set for Nov. 18 at 9:30 a.m., Jan. 20 at 12 p.m., Feb. 17 at 9:30 a.m. and March 20 at 6 p.m.
Sheldon said that the dates and times are varied to give more people a chance to attend and show their support for their local police.
“A lot of people have questions about what we do and I think people get the wrong perspective about what we do,” Evertsen said. “So it’s nice to get people out and actually talk. A lot of people look at us and think ‘bad,’ and then they talk to us and think ‘oh, they’re not so bad.’ We’re just like everyone else.”
Sgt. Aaron Benware wants the public to know that the Police Department is available to hear their thoughts and concerns.
“We want people to feel that police officers are approachable,” he said. “Having it at the library is a more comfortable environment.”
Benware added that police can’t do their jobs without community support, so events like “Coffee with a Cop” are integral to reaching a better relationship.
Patrol officer John Sesselman, who has been with the department for 25 years and will retire in a few more, said that one of his main goals in his law few years as an officer will be to get to know as many people in the community as possible.
He is part of the police department’s horseback division, and while he said that he has seen some of the “darker sides of society,” it’s always great to see smiles and positive reaction when he’s on the horse during the summer.
“It makes a nice bond with the community,” he said.
Darlene, who wished not to reveal her last name, said that she owes law enforcement her life. During one late night walk down Broadway during the winter, Darlene had passed out due to low sugar levels. It was late enough where few people were out, and Darlene said that if an officer had not driven by and helped her, she could have died.
“I was lucky to have an officer like that who thought outside the box,” she said. “I have not to this day had any negative interactions with our police department.”
Resident Normal Fuller said that he’ll sometimes buy police officers coffee.
“I have a lot of respect for them,” he said. “It’s a good idea to re-establish themselves in the community. People give them a bad name and that’s not right.”