In Wake of Dallas Shootings, 'Coffee With A Cop' Takes on Special Meaning

Dacula, GA — It's a roughly once-a-month event — one that the Gwinnett County Police Department maintains as a way to keep in touch with the community it serves.

But on Tuesday, "Coffee With A Cop" took on a whole new, and special, meaning.

In the wake of Thursday's shootings in Dallas that took the lives of five law enforcement officers, as well as officer-involved shootings that have sparked protests nationwide, a large crowd turned out for the casual meet-up the department hosts at different coffee shops throughout the county.

Gwinnett County Police Department spokeswoman Cpl. Michele Pihera said it was the largest turnout the department has ever had for "Coffee With A Cop." It has had about 12 in the past year and a half.

"We received an outpouring of support from people who just stopped by to say hello — men, women, children, old, young, people of all races came together to talk," Pihera said. "Some people said that they had no intention of drinking coffee or eating a doughnut, but they wanted to shake our hands and give us hugs."

The significance of the event wasn't lost on attendees, some of whom took to social media to reflect on the gathering.

"It's been a very inspiring day so far," wrote Kat Robertson, a personal trainer and youth athletics volunteer who attended the meet-up. "I know we see the things that are taking place around the country and it's all a little draining... It's easy to feel helpless - even hopeless. But the BEST thing that we can do is bring our OWN communities together."

Another Facebook user shared Robertson's photos with a simple message: "Please let this happen all over the country."

La-Kesha Small, who attended the coffee as well, said officers took time to encourage attendees to join the community police academy and noted how important it is for them to get to know the people whom they serve.

She said a friend talked to them about being more involved in middle schools, where students are at such an impressionable age.

"There was a lot more in such a short time span," Small wrote. "And if we are able to make strides like that in an hour, just think of what could be accomplished with more time."

For some, the gathering was just a way to say "thank you."

"It was awesome getting to speak one on one with our officers," wrote Susan Duttweiler Campbell. "We take for granted what they do for us every day. They need our support more than ever. We cannot survive without them!"

For Robertson, the meeting was a way to get to know police and other neighbors, as well as hopefully a stepping stone to something bigger.

"It's time that we get back to the 'village' mindset and start working TOGETHER to actively change the world ONE community at a time," she wrote. "It sounds cliche, but it's the ONLY way to make real progress -- to start at home."

(Photo courtesy Kat Robertson)