“Coffee With a Cop" Strengthens Community

By Maddy Vitale Seeing a bunch of Sea Isle City police officers at 1^st Bank of Sea Isle City, 4301 Landis Avenue, might have caused some worry, had it not been for the coffee, friendly conversation and sticky buns that went along with their visit Monday morning. The event, “Coffee With a Cop,” or cops as in this case, was another successful way new Police Chief Tom McQuillen is creating a more community-involved approach to policing, Officer Hank Frank said in between chatting with resident Rick Weiner over coffee. Residents trickled in during the 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. event. Some were there to do their banking and decided to stay a bit and visit with the officers. Others came in to show their appreciation for the department. “I always like to come and thank them for the great job they do,” resident Bill Keller said as he spoke with the chief. “It is great. It is one of the few times we get to open up to the public. We listen to their concerns and answer their questions,” said Frank, who started out as a summer officer in Sea Isle in 2001. “If we don’t know the answer, we will get them in touch with the person who does.” Sea Isle residents and police officers enjoy a meet-and-greet over coffee and sweets. Informational leaflets, calendars, daily planners and other items were displayed on a table available to the public. Frank said common questions residents ask officers at these events are about the new medicine disposal drop box at the police station and what to do with damaged beach furniture and other larger items destroyed during storms. “What we are able to do because of the new chief is be more accessible to the public,” Frank, whose father is a retired police captain in Pleasantville, said. “That is what we wanted.” McQuillen shared some jokes, laughed and chatted with residents throughout the meet-and-greet. Jerry Donaghy shares a laugh with Police Chief Tom McQuillen. “We are going to keep hosting these events as long as people keep coming to them,” he said. “I think it is really a good opportunity for people to come out in a relaxed setting, speak with the officers and get some of their questions answered.” The chief pointed out that the main goal of the “Coffee With a Cop” event is to help change perception of police officers in a community. They should not be strangers driving by in their patrol vehicles, but people who the public can interact with in a positive way, McQuillen explained. "Coffee With a Cop" under the new Chief Tom McQuillen brings the community and the police officers together. Sea Isle City’s AARP President Frank Roach stopped in for a while to help out and visit with the officers. “This “Coffee With a Cop” is great for Sea Isle City,” Roach said. He credited McQuillen with the community policing efforts with events such as “Coffee With a Cop.” “This is a new person with new ideas, which is great for Sea Isle City,” Roach said. “I encourage all of my AARP people to come out. They all back what the chief is doing. It is really a good police department.” Sea Isle City’s AARP Chapter 710 President Frank Roach, left, speaks with Police Chief Tom McQuillen.