Local Greenwich Business Owner Hopes To Raise Awareness On Safety

GREENWICH, CT — When Anna Buzik opened Cups n' Cones Of Old Greenwich earlier this year, she said she hoped it would be a place for the community to come together.

On Nov. 13 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Buzik is inviting the community to take part in an event aptly named 'Cops n' Cones,' in which officers from the Greenwich Police Department will offer safety tips for families and young children on how to keep their eyes open and pay attention to suspicious activity or strangers in the neighborhood.

Children of all ages are welcome.

The idea for the event came following a few incidents in Old Greenwich, notably in August when a 12-year-old girl reported to police that she was walking in the area of Sound Beach Avenue and Center Drive when a white van operated by two men stopped alongside her and the men asked her to get inside the van.

Police later said they were able to talk to the driver of the van, and no evidence of a crime could be substantiated.

Still, the story unnerved Buzik, who has two young children of her own.

"I feel personally lucky we live in a safe environment in Old Greenwich. I do consider our area and neighborhood pretty safe," she said. "But having conversations about 'stranger danger' is not a one-time chat with a child. I believe it's an ongoing conversation. Children should be able to tell who's a stranger and who isn't, and how to react if there's a dangerous situation. I was thinking what else we could do?"

Buzik reached out to the Greenwich Police Department, who agreed to participate in the informal community event. There will be activities for young children, and perhaps a chance to tour a police car. Attendees will also have the chance to taste some new ice cream flavors.

"I'm hoping the families will take the time to stop by and have a chat and learn more about how to keep your eyes open and pay attention to suspicious activity and suspicious cars and how to react to certain situations," Buzik said.

Cups n' Cones Of Old Greenwich is located at 235 Sound Beach Ave.