By Keysha Drexel
Journal editor
People who live and work in Homewood got together with the city’s police officers last week at an event aimed at building relationships between those in the community and those on the police force.
The Homewood Police Department hosted Coffee with a Cop at Demetri’s BBQ on July 17, inviting neighbors to join them for coffee and conversation.
“This is a way for us to introduce ourselves to the people we serve and for them to get to know us and to see another side of our officers,” said Police Chief Jim Roberson.
The event is just one of the ways the department tries to get to know people in the Homewood community, said Officer Steve Hensley, the department’s training officer.
The Homewood Police Department offers a Citizens Police Academy twice a year and also offers a pistol class for Homewood residents, he said.
“This is just another way for us to meet people in the community, to reach out to them and for them to find out who we are. We want them to know what we do and to know that we enjoy protecting and serving them,” Hensley said.
Too many times, Hensley said, the public has a negative image of police officers. Events like Coffee with a Cop can go a long way in changing that.
“People see a lot of negatives about law enforcement. You see them coming in with lights and sirens on, wearing tactical vests and all of that, but they never really get to see the other side of what we do and who we are,” he said.
Roberson said he thinks it is particularly important for young Homewood residents to meet and talk to police officers.
“When I was growing up, my parents always told me that if I got lost or needed help, to find a police officer,” he said. “Unfortunately, a lot of kids are being brought up to fear police officers, and we want to do everything we can to show these young people that we are their friends and that we’re here to help them, not hurt them.”
The event was also aimed at giving Homewood residents a chance to voice their concerns and ask questions, Roberson said.
“We want to hear what they’re concerned about so that we can do something about it,” he said. “It’s a great way for us to have a face-to-face conversation and learn what the needs are in our community.”
Much of the talk at the Coffee with a Cop event centered around a rash of recent auto burglaries, Sgt. Andrew Didcoct said.
“Most everything has been positive, but we do have folks concerned about auto burglaries,” Didcoct said. “We are just trying to spread the word that people need to lock their cars, take their valuables out of their cars and by all means, do not leave their keys in their cars.”
Didcoct said the recent auto burglaries reinforce the public’s role in community policing as well.
“I tell people to be a good neighbor and if they see something suspicious going on at their neighbor’s house, call us and we’ll come and check it out,” he said.
Didcoct said he thinks some residents might be hesitant to call the police department or approach officers to voice concerns or ask questions.
“But they shouldn’t be afraid to do that at all. That’s what we’re here to do. It’s our job,” he said.
