OC Sheriff’s Office to host fifth Coffee with a Cop

On Sept. 10, officers from the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office and community members come together in an informal, neutral space to discuss community issues, build relationships, and drink coffee. The event begins at 8am at Seneca Family Restaurant on Highway 123 in Seneca. “Coffee with a Cop provides a unique opportunity for community members to ask questions and learn more about the department’s work in Oconee County neighborhoods. The majority of contacts law enforcement has with the public happen during emergencies, or emotional situations. 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,” said Oconee County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Jimmy Watt. Coffee with a Cop is a national initiative supported by The United States Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services. The program aims to advance the practice of community policing through improving relationships between police officers and community members one cup of coffee at a time.