The Coffee with a Cop community outreach effort made a stop in Center Moriches, with residents also taking the opportunity to participate in the Suffolk Police Department’s Operation Medicine Cabinet disposal program.
“The old way of flushing medicines down the toilet is no longer acceptable from an environmental point of view,” said Officer James Anson of the COPE Unit. “Proper disposal helps protect the aquifer.”
Promoted by Legislator Jim Mazzarella and hosted by the Center Moriches Library, the event brought neighbors together with local officers in a relaxed setting. “It’s important to maintain strong communication between law enforcement and the people they serve,” Mazzarella said. “Coffee with a Cop gives everyone a chance to connect in a positive way.”
The Hampton Coffee Company supplied the beverages for the morning gathering, which drew a steady crowd of residents eager to chat with police and share community concerns. Among the topics discussed were the frequent Main Street road closures caused by the many parades, fairs, and festivals that Center Moriches hosts throughout the year.
“Residents also asked us about welfare checks on homebound family members and our efforts to keep Main Street clean and safe,” noted Anson, who serves with the Seventh Precinct. Officers also explained the importance of programs like Operation Medicine Cabinet, which provides a safe and environmentally sound way to dispose of unused prescription medications.
Events like Coffee with a Cop are part of the Suffolk Police Department’s broader outreach strategy, aimed at strengthening relationships between officers and the communities they protect. Residents say they appreciate the chance to talk face-to-face with officers, ask questions, and better understand local policing efforts — all over a cup of coffee in a friendly setting.
Other local officials, including Legislator Dominick Thorne, Senator Dean Murray, and Assemblyman Joe DeStefano, host similar meetings.