Gresham Police to Host First 'Coffee With a Cop' in May

GRESHAM, OR – To provide residents in Gresham a safe environment where they can speak freely to local police outside of a traffic stop or other emergency situation, Gresham Police Chief Robin Sells has decided to host the department's first Coffee with a Cop community event.

From 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Monday, May 1, Gresham officers will be posted at Café Delirium, 308 N. Main Ave., to answer questions and share more about the work done by Gresham law enforcement in one-on-one, face-to-face non-confrontational conversations.

Coffee with a Cop events are hosted throughout the year by police departments and sheriff's offices nationwide, including many across the metro region. The upcoming event in Gresham, however, will be the department's first.

When asked why now, Gresham police spokeswoman Makala Kerbs said the sudden implementation was inspired by a combination of things, not least of which is the growing sense that Gresham police are considered "unapproachable" by the Gresham community. Chief Sells, Kerbs said, wants to nip that community concern in the bud.

"We're giving the public an opportunity to know officers on a personal level outside of an emergency situation," Kerbs told Patch on Wednesday. "The chief felt it would be a good way to build better relationships between law enforcement and the community."

Ever the proponent of bridging the gap between the police and the public, Sells previously gave officers the option of attending local community events when invited. According to Kerbs, the chief is "100 percent behind" officers attending community events, but it seems most interactions between law enforcement and Gresham residents still happen during emergencies or hyper-emotional situations, which are not always the most effective times for relationship building with the community.

"People might not know how else to get in touch with us just to talk," she said. "Coffee with a Cop builds trust and helps tear down barriers. It's all about the community."

Photo Courtesy: Gresham Police Department