Residents gathered with police officers in Patchogue for a Coffee with a Cop event aimed at strengthening relationships between law enforcement and the community.
Sponsored by Senator Dean Murray and Legislator Dominick Thorne at the Coho cafe on West Main Street, the informal get-together gave residents a chance to mingle with officers from the 5th precinct and local elected leaders in a relaxed environment.
“This is a great opportunity for the public to see that there are great people in our community willing to risk their lives to protect us,” Senator Murray said. “I’m glad so many residents turned out to meet them.”
Chatting over a cup of coffee was precinct Lieutenant Michael Campbell. “We’re happy to be here exchanging ideas and answering questions,” the lieutenant said, noting that this was the fifth Coffee with a Cop sponsored by the two lawmakers. He was there with Latino Liaison Officer Yasmin Gallant who’s involved with a number of outreach events throughout the year.
The county police recently honored students of the month and are active with the Police Athletic League, conducting numerous sporting activities. They host Painting with a Cop, Shop with a Cop, Cooking with a Cop, and many other events to connect with the neighborhoods they serve. The Fifth Precinct officers were busy around the holidays, participating in a Christmas Miracle toy drive with the Angels of Long Island that made the holidays brighter for hundreds of families. They are gearing up for Martin Luther King Day activities, having just helped celebrate the Spanish Three Kings holiday.
“I always come out to support the police,” said Jeff Berthold of East Patchogue. “They show up for you when you need them and we need to show our appreciation every chance we get.” Also sharing a cup was Rocco Semisa of Selden, who thinks the Coffee with a Cop program is a great idea. “It’s a relaxed atmosphere where you can talk about policing such as the COPE Unit and the cooperation between the police and the prosecutors,” he said, referring to the efforts between District Attorney Ray Tierney and the police in fighting crime. “I particularly like the crackdown on quality of life crimes that really impact our communities.”
Precinct Level Advisor Dan Brooks of Patchogue appreciated the interaction. “It’s important to have a close relationship between the police and the people. Coffee with a Cop is a good way to do it,” said Brooks, who also serves as president of the Patchogue Lions Club. “They are here to protect and serve, and I think they are doing a great job.”