Birmingham police get to know citizens on Coffee with a Cop Day

On Oct. 3, all four Birmingham Police Department precincts sent officers to greet the public at area Starbucks locations to celebrate National Coffee with a Cop Day.

“It’s a way to meet with the community we serve and discuss problems and possible solutions,” said Capt. Allen Hatcher, commander of the East Precinct.

Hatcher and some of his officers were at the Eastwood Starbucks.

“By getting to talk to officers, [citizens] may get some insight into how the officers think and work and go through a process to investigate crime and address community complaints,” Hatcher said.

Coffee with a Cop was launched in 2011 by the Hawthorne Police Department in California to improve rapport with citizens, and events are held across the country, according to coffeewithacop.com.

Crestwood resident Deborah Meador attended the event.

“I came tonight to let the officers know I appreciate the hard work they do,” Meador said. “I’ve had two or three incidents in our neighborhood, and the officers were wonderful, and we’re safer because if the job that they do,” Meador said.

“It's nice to see people who support you and know you’re out here trying to do the right thing for them,” Officer Derrick Young said.