Sea Isle Residents Share “Coffee With a Cop”

By Maddy Vitale Barbara Siitonen summed up what she thought of the city’s “Coffee With a Cop” held Monday morning under new Sea Isle City Police Chief Thomas McQuillen. “This event is a wonderful thing. It gives the residents time to talk to the police about things we feel are important,” Siitonen said, while chatting with McQuillen and other members of the department at Mrs. Brizzle’s Buns and Deli, 4601 Landis Ave. About 40 residents strolled into the coffee shop during the 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. event, to meet members of the city’s Finest, while sipping coffee and nibbling on baked goods. Officer Shawn Lesniewski speaks with residents. “We want our guys out in the community. We want to break down barriers. We aren’t just robots in cars,” McQuillen said. “This is a good opportunity to talk to people in the community.” McQuillen said community policing is a main priority of his administration. He said he wants to change the perception of police. “We are the same as everyone else,” he said. “We just have a different job.” With 21 officers in the department which increases to more than 50 with summer patrols, McQuillen is preparing to oversee a force in a community that bulges with tourists in the busy season. His plan is to host “Coffee With a Cop” monthly, except during the summer. “You can see there clearly is a need for it,” McQuillen noted. Resident Lynne Shirk is on the city’s neighborhood watch. While she already has a good working relationship with police, she said this is good for the entire community. “This is absolutely important to show police are always available for us and want to know what we are thinking,” Shirk said. “Tom (McQuillen) has always worked with us.” Off-Duty Sea Isle Officer Tully O'Clisham with son Declan, says police want to hear from the community. Officer Tully O’Clisham said he is excited about the direction the department is going under McQuillen. O’Clisham was off duty but stopped in to visit with fellow officers and mingle with residents. He brought his 2 ½ year-old son Declan who enjoyed nibbling on a big chocolate chip cookie. “It is amazing,” O’Clisham said of the event. “I love the change with the system. It is all about community policing.” O’Clisham said there are many officers in Sea Isle who aren’t from the community. “Coffee With a Cop” will help officers meet residents in a relaxed atmosphere and hear their concerns, he said. Pat Salstrom speaks with Officer Mike Mol. Officer Mike Mol said this was his first “Coffee With a Cop.” “I think it is good because we get to hear from the community. People can come and meet with us and say what they want,” Mol said. Pat Salstrom, of Sea Isle, chatted with Mol. “It gives you the ‘Police are your friends,’ feeling,” Salstrom explained. Officials including Mayor Lenny Desiderio, Councilman William Kehner, Chamber of Commerce President Christopher Glancey and Business Administrator George Savastano attended the gathering. Sea Isle Public Information Officer Katherine Custer said she was very impressed with the turnout for Sea Isle’s first “Coffee With A Cop” meet-and-greet. "Chief McQuillen and his officers did a terrific job hosting the event, and it was wonderful to see so many people come out on a blustery spring morning to speak with our law enforcement officials,” Custer said. “It was a very nice gathering that allowed the public to speak with our officers and ask questions in a relaxed, friendly environment.”    Mayor Lenny with Police Chief Thomas McQuillen. On the left is Officer Shawn Lesniewski. In back is Detective Sergeant William Bradshaw and on the right is Captain Tony Gereffi Jr. Kehner said, “It is nice for the community to know they can speak freely with the officers. This is something every community needs.” Bob Morris, a developer in Sea Isle stopped in to check out the event.  “I love it,” Morris said. “This is a good way to get to know the police.” Police Chief Tom McQuillen with Annette Lombardo (left) and daughter Amy Lombardo. Sgt. John Saltzman with Ron Custer and Officer Tully O'Clisham and son Declan. Amy Lombardo with Sea Isle Public Information Officer Katherine Custer and Annette Lombardo. Sgt. John Saltzman with Michele Avlicino and Barbara Siitonen.