Cops Listen as Citizens Share Coffee and Concerns

RIO GRANDE — Three Middle Township police officers spent part of their morning sitting in a local bagel shop drinking coffee. Contrary to urban legend, however, they weren’t there whiling away the hours until their shift was over. They were there to keep their fingers on the pulse of the community’s concerns by meeting with local residents.
“Everything the community gives us we follow up on,” said Sgt. Doug Osmundsen.
He, along with Cpl. Jeff DeVico and Ptlm. Scott Frazer are all part of the police department’s Cops and Coffee program. The program was developed to allow police officers and community members to meet in a casual setting to discuss concerns.
The March 14 event was held at Avalon Bagel on Route 9. Police were available during the breakfast hours of 8 to 10 a.m.
According to Osmundsen most of the concerns he heard during the March meet-and-greet were about strange cars driving through neighborhoods and drugs in Rio Grande.
Dona Kemling of Court House sat and chatted with DeVico about issues she sees in her neighborhood. Kemling came prepared for the event with her notes.
“It was very helpful,” she said after meeting with DeVico. “You feel like you are being listened to.”
DeVico said the police would be back in touch with Kemling after looking into her concerns.
“We’ll talk with her again,” he said, “and see if there was any progress in the neighborhood.”
Township police have been hosting Cops and Coffee meetings for several months.
“My goal is to have one every month throughout the year,” said Osmundsen. To accommodate residents’ schedules, future events will include evening and weekend dates.
“We encourage people to call us,” said the sergeant. “If there’s crime being committed, we want to know about it.”
Anonymous tips can be called in to Middle Township police at 609-465-1833 or via the department’s website at middlepd.org. The department also can be accessed via its Facebook page.