OC Sheriff’s Office to host Coffee with a Cop

On June 25, the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office will be hosting its first ever “Coffee With A Cop” event. This is a chance for deputies and the community to come together in an informal, neutral space to discuss issues, build relationships, and drink coffee. It takes place at Palmetto Sweets and Company at 115 East Main Street in Walhalla from 8 – 10am. The public is invited and encouraged to attend, explains Oconee County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Jimmy Watt. “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, adds Oconee County Sheriff Mike Crenshaw. “We hope that community members will feel comfortable to ask questions, bring concerns, or simply get to know our officers. These interactions are the foundation of community partnerships.” 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.