PULLQUOTE:

“There’s an interest among some of the citizens to know their officers better and there’s an interest in the administration to bridge that gap as much as they can.” — Livermore Falls Police Lt. Joseph Sage

LIVERMORE FALLS — The Police Department plans to host Coffee with a Cop, an opportunity for the public to meet with police informally at locations around town.

Dates and times haven’t been finalized.

At Tuesday’s selectmen meeting, Police Lt. Joseph Sage said he and Officer Stephen E. Gould met with residents in East Livermore several weeks ago to talk about their concerns and address misconceptions about the department.

“I was asked to facilitate it, and did as best I could,” Selectman Tom Barker said. “I think the meeting was a huge success.”

“As a result of that meeting, we’ve had some other requests for additional meetings,” Lt. Sage said.

Coffee with a Cop is a national program started in Hawthorne, California, in 2011.

Sage said a minimum of two officers would be available twice a month for two hours to address department-related issues. It is not a place for the public to file complaints against officers or to report crimes, but to discuss quality of life issues.

“There’s an interest among some of the citizens to know their officers better and there’s an interest in the administration to bridge that gap as much as they can,” Sage said.

Depending on interest and participation, more officers may meet with residents, and the meeting time may be changed. Officers will wear business casual clothing to make them more approachable, and there will not be police radios, cellphones, Tasers, handcuffs, or duty belts visible.

The first hour will be an open forum for people to talk about topics they choose. The second hour will be for people to speak to officers one on one about whatever they so choose.

bmatulaitis@sunmediagroup.net

“There’s an interest among some of the citizens to know their officers better and there’s an interest in the administration to bridge that gap as much as they can.” — Livermore Falls Police Lt. Joseph Sage