Coffee with a Cop day is dedicated to encouraging communication and positive interactions between law enforcement agencies and the communities they serve.
On Wednesday, the event was held astStingray Chevrolet in Plant City for the second year.
With officers and equipment from Plant City Police Department, Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Department, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission in attendance, citizens were able to share a morning of casual conversation with their local agencies while also learning about the vehicles and equipment at their disposal.
“Oftentimes people want to know what their tax dollars go to or what their police departments or sheriff’s offices or law enforcement agencies do,” Alfred Van Duyne of Plant City Police Department said. “When you call 9-1-1 or our non-emergency number, the police will show up and handle your situation. But some people don’t know that we have certain types of assets like Bearcats and a command post and helicopters and mounted units. These are the things that people really like to see and get information about, as well as talking to the deputies because everybody has a different story and the deputies and officers, we all come from different walks of life, different backgrounds. It’s terrific that we’re able to kind of blend our professionalism with [the public].”
Coffee with a Cop was cancelled on a national level last year, however the owners of Stingray Chevrolet ensured that it went on and made it’s local debut first time at their locations. In addition to their location in Plant City, Steve and Susan Hurley also hosted a Coffee with a Cop event at their Chevrolet dealership in Bartow on Wednesday.
“Last year was the first time that we had Coffee with a Cop,” Steve Hurley said. “We had a great turnout, it was just such a positive vibe like it is this morning and we’re excited to be able to do it again this year and to continue that tradition going forward.”
A number of residents made their way to the dealership to take part in the event, including students from Marshall Middle School.
“It’s just a great opportunity for all of us to get together and for all of the different agencies to interact,” Steve Hurley said. “And it lets the public know, come up and see all of this great equipment, the K-9 Unit, the helicopter, the bomb squad, all of these great vehicles and equipment, just to learn how they operate and what it’s all about. This is all to keep us safe and to protect us.”