Nutley Police To Hold ‘Coffee With A Cop’ At Plaza Bakery

NUTLEY, NJ — The following news release comes courtesy of the Nutley Police Department. Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site here.

Public Safety Director Alphonse Petracco, Chief Thomas Strumolo and the Nutley Police Department will be hosting “Coffee with a Cop” on Friday, March 29, 2019. Nutley police officers and community members will come together in an informal, neutral space to discuss community issues, build relationships, and drink coffee.

All community members are invited to attend. The event begins at 9:30 a.m. at Plaza Bakery located at 39 Franklin Avenue in Nutley. Please contact the Nutley Police Department if you have any questions you can contact Lt. Ken Watson at kwatson@nutleypd.com.

Coffee with a Cop provides a unique opportunity for community members to ask questions and learn more about the department’s work in Nutley’s neighborhoods.

The majority of contacts law enforcement has with the public happen during emergencies, or emotional situations. Those situations are not always the most effective times for relationship building with the community, and some community members may feel that officers are unapproachable on the street. Coffee with a Cop breaks down barriers and allows for a relaxed, one-on-one interaction.

“We hope that community members will feel comfortable to ask questions, bring concerns, or simply get to know our officers,” said Police Chief Thomas Strumolo. “These interactions are the foundation of community partnerships.”

Coffee with a Cop is a national initiative supported by The United States Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services. Similar events are being held across the country, as local police departments strive to make lasting connections with the communities they serve.

The program aims to advance the practice of community policing through improving relationships between police officers and community members one cup of coffee at a time.

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