Coffee with a cop

MSP invites the public to talk to an officer at Slim’s Cafe in Mohawk

By GRAHAM JAEHNIG

gjaehnig@mininggazette.com

Keweenaw County -- The Calumet State Police Post will host Coffee with a Cop this Friday, July 21, at Slim's Cafe, in Mohawk, from 8 to 10 a.m.

A July 19 release from the post says: "Join your neighbors and local police officers for coffee and conversation."

There is no agenda, there will be no speeches, says the release, just a chance to ask questions, voice concerns and the get to know the officer from the Calumet Post and the Copper Country.

Chaplain Peter Vorhes, from the Calumet Post, will also be in attendance for the event.

State Trooper, Alan Narhi, who organized the public relations event, said it is a way for local agencies to meet the residents in an informal and relaxed setting.

"What we do is to invite other local departments to attend, as well," said Narhi. "That way, there are several of us in attendance for the community to sit down with us and talk to and just chat about whatever."

Coffee with a Cop promotes a more open dialogue between officers and community members in a laid back, informal atmosphere than when most people interact with law enforcement agents.

Narhi said his plan is to conduct a Coffee with a Cop in each county.

"This one's up in Keweenaw County, so I reached out to the Keweenaw County Sheriff's Department and some of the other north-end departments also," he said. "Then I'm planning to do one in Houghton County at some point, as well, and I'll reach out to the departments in Houghton County."

That way, he added, they will have the opportunity to have representatives present. Eventually, he said, he will host one in Baraga County, too.