LANCASTER, S.C. — In the city of Lancaster, South Carolina, the South 200 Drive-In is known for its down-home cooking and friendly staff. Thursday was a particularly special day at South 200. The restaurant was the chosen location for a popular local event, “Coffee with a Cop."
With the goal of improving trust and building relationships between local law enforcement and the communities they serve, "Coffee with a Cop" is a meet and greet with the community. It provides an opportunity for community members and local law enforcement to learn more about each other - one cup at a time.
The Lancaster Police Department and members of the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office were at South 200 on Thursday to meet and greet members of the local Lancaster community. The key to “Coffee with a Cop,” and its growing success, is that it opens the door for interactions outside of the crisis situations that typically bring law enforcement officers and community members together.
“Coffee with a Cop” actually started in Hawthorne, California twelve years ago. Law enforcement officials were looking for a better way to positively interact with the people they served every day.
"Coffee with a Cop" events are now held in all 50 states and are one of the most successful community-oriented policing programs across the country. The program has also expanded outside the United States to Canada, Europe, Australia, Africa, and Latin America.
Community members can find out about "Coffee with a Cop" events by following the Lancaster Police Department's Facebook page.
Larry Sprinkle: Contact Larry Sprinkle at lsprinkle@wcnc.com and follow him on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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