Big Islanders turn out for National Coffee With a Cop Day

Big Islanders turned out to have some java and jive with their local community police officers earlier this week in observance of the 9th annual National Coffee With a Cop Day.

Officers with Hawai‘i Police Department’s Community Policing Sections in Hilo, Pāhoa, Honoka‘a, Waima and Kona hosted events to brew better bonds with their neighbors and talked story over a cup of coffee.

“Mahalo to the dozens of people that came to coffee shops across the Big Island to talk story with members of Hawai‘i Police Department during this morning’s National Coffee With a Cop day!” wrote the Police Department in a Facebook post Wednesday afternoon. “It was fantastic to see so many people … turn out from Puna to Waimea to Kona, Honoka‘a and Hilo! Working together, we make Hawai‘i County a safer place for us all.”

National Coffee With a Cop Day began in 2016 as part of National Community Policing Week and is now observed on the first Wednesday of October each year.

It furthers efforts to bridge the gap between community and law enforcement.

“We really enjoy the opportunity to meet with the public at these types of events because it provides us with insights into community concerns,” said Hilo Community Policing Section’s Lt. William Derr.

These get-togethers have no agendas or speeches; they are an informal way for residents to get to know the police officers in their community.

Topics of conversation range from sharing personal stories to answering questions or even discussing neighborhood or community issues.

“Mahalo for da wisdom of the two I talked with this morning at Kona Coffee and Tea,” commented Renée Robinson on the department’s post. “They were awesome!!!”

“Well done everyone!” added Jeremie Evangelista.

Big Island Now news reporter Nathan Christophel contributed to this story.