Arlington Police To Host National Coffee With A Cop Day This Fall

Coffee with a Cop began in 2011 with the Hawthorne Police Department in California and has since expanded to all 50 states.

By Benjamin Pierce, Patch Staff

Aug 7, 2026 6:15 AM EDT

Residents will have an opportunity to ask questions, discuss neighborhood concerns, share ideas, and get to know members of the department outside of emergencies. (Jenna Fisher/Patch)

ARLINGTON, MA — The police department is inviting residents to National Coffee with a Cop Day this fall, offering free coffee, donuts and an opportunity to meet local officers in an informal setting.

The free event is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 7, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Whittemore Park. Coffee and donuts will be provided courtesy of the Arlington Knights of Columbus.

Residents will have an opportunity to ask questions, discuss neighborhood concerns, share ideas, and get to know members of the department outside of emergencies. The event is meant to encourage conversations between police officers and community members in a relaxed environment.

Coffee with a Cop began in 2011 with the Hawthorne Police Department in California and has since expanded to all 50 states and dozens of countries. National Coffee with a Cop Day is typically observed annually on the first Wednesday in October, with law enforcement agencies across the country hosting similar events to strengthen relationships with the communities they serve.