"Coffee with a Cop" Event at WestConn Hailed as a Success

Good conversation over a hot cup of coffee has resolved many a problem. That’s why the Western Connecticut State University Police Department has instituted “Coffee with a Cop.”

In early December, the WCSU PD held its first meeting with more than 100 students, faculty and staff members in attendance to discuss issues over coffee and pastries. Among the topics raised were safety on campus and in the community, desire for more police presence and concern for what is shown on the media pertaining to police and community relations.

“This was one of our most successful initiatives to date,” said Lt. Richard Montefusco. “The mission of ‘Coffee with a Cop’ is to break down the barriers between the police officers and the community they serve.”

WCSU Sgt. Michael Casey and Officer Trevor Burke, who work the 3 to 11 p.m. shift, led the first event-discussion. Montefusco said that the department plans to hold quarterly events; they will rotate among the three daily police shifts to give the community the opportunity to meet different members of the department.  

“This is on the heels of our ‘Race, Community, Policing and YOU’ forum held Dec. 5,” said Montefusco. “It was a good door opener to communications that needed to be started a long time ago. Coffee with a cop is just on a smaller scale.”