Lower Merion Police To Host 'Coffee With A Cup' Community Meeting

Police in Lower Merion Township will host an informal meeting next week shop to “discuss community issues, build relationships and drink coffee.”

In a statement released on Wednesday, the township police department invited residents to Saxby’s Coffee, located at 346 W. Lancaster Avenue, on July 29 from 8 to 11 a.m., as part of the “Coffee with a Cop” event.

“The majority of contacts law enforcement has with the public happen during emergencies, or emotional situations,” read the statement. “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.”

Coffee with a Cop is a national initiative supported by The United States Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services. According to officials, similar events are being held across the country, as local police departments seek to establish better connections with the communities they serve.