Police talk with residents over water ice

Coatesville police interact with community members when distributing free water ice as part of community policing

Coatesville police officers, in a partnership with Rita’s Water Ice, give free water ice to community members.

COATESVILLE » It is better to give than to receive.

The Coatesville Police Department “Chillin with the Community” water ice truck has made a few rounds so far this summer. Coatesville police officers, in a partnership with Rita’s Water Ice, have given free water ice to community members.

Coatesville Police Chief Jack Laufer said the community policing activity provides another opportunity for the officers to interact with children and the overall focus is to converse with community members.

“The kids seem to really enjoy it,” Laufer said. “It helps generate conversations with kids, and it helps with the adults too. It is geared toward kids, but we don’t turn away adults, they are kids at heart. It’s a good conversation starter with adults too.”

This allows the police to become more visible outside of their patrol cars and it is another way that the officers can create positive interactions with members of the community who are enjoying their time outside.

“It’s been great. It’s well received by the community. The officers enjoy it every time we go out,” Laufer said. “In our opinion it’s been a success.”

Sgt. Rodger Ollis said the officers traveled to every park and made several stops in between.

“It was a nice opportunity to bring smiles to kids’ faces and have valuable conversation with the kids as well,” Ollis said.

One of the interns with the police department, Alexis Canale, did a ridealong and learned a valuable policing lesson regarding relationship building and the positive impact that it can have.

Coatesville police began handing out free water ice last year with the help from South Coatesville Police Chief Kevin Pierce, who also has business ties to a franchise of Rita’s Water Ice. The Coatesville Police Union paid for the water ice last year and this year, Rita’s Water Ice donated the refreshing treats.

“It’s been great. It’s well received by the community. The officers enjoy it every time we go out. In our opinon it’s been a success.” — Coatesville Police Chief Jack Laufer

SUBMITTED PHOTO Coatesville Police Chief Jack Laufer poses with children who received free water ice.