Crime & Safety

Hillsdale Police Holding 'Coffee With a Cop' Event

Residents will be able to ask questions and share their concerns in a casual setting.

Officers from the Hillsdale Police Department will hold their first-ever "coffee with a cop" event at Starbucks on Broadway June 9 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Police Officer Adam Hampton, who is planning the new program, said they aim to get to know residents — and have residents get to know them — in an environment that is calmer than the typical events which bring police in their lives like being the victim of a crime or having a medical emergency.

"This is an opportunity for us to break down the barriers," Hampton said.

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Four or five officers will be attending the event, including Hampton, Police Chief Chip Stalter, one of the department's detectives and other officers with experience in different subjects, so they hope to be able to answer any questions residents might bring about borough ordinances, property maintenance issues or whatever may come up, according to Hampton. If the police can't immediately answer a question, they'll find out the answer and get back to the resident, he said.

They will also be willing to give advice for issues between neighbors or take reports of crimes, Hampton said. 

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The idea for "coffee with a cop" came from the Hawthorne, C.A. Police Department, according to Hampton.

"It was a way of reaching out to the community," he said.

The Hillsdale Police Department seeks to work with residents in many different ways, Hampton said, pointing to the DARE program, Safe Banks event and other work in local schools as other examples. 

Going forward, they may try holding "coffee with a cop" in other venues and at large town events, Hampton said. They may plan two or three each year.

"We encourage people to come down," Hampton said. "There's not going to be any question that's too large or too small."

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