Coffee with a Cop idea taking hold

There's something special about drinking a hot cup of caffeine.

A cold, frothy alcoholic beverage can create social interactions in a similar way, but they too often deteriorate into drunken ramblings or worse, rather than the constructive conversations that are more likely to result from coffee.

We've sometimes been troubled by the ideas that result from overly caffeinated bull sessions, and those who land on the left end of the political spectrum are certainly alarmed by tea parties, but overall, koffee klatches are a good thing.

That was our idea when latching on to the Coffee with a Cop idea when we heard about one event taking place in California.

The concept is a simple: Police and residents come together in an informal, neutral space to discuss community issues and build relationships over a cup of coffee.

City Editor Bruce Baker took the idea and ran with it, obtained the cooperation of the local McDonald's Restaurant and the inaugural event took place last April.

Since then, the McCook Police Department, Red Willow County Sheriff's Office, Nebraska State Patrol, McCook Fire and Rescue Squad, councillors and other officials have gone out of their way to make the monthly events a success.

That it's a good idea is apparent by the number of local law enforcement agencies that have gotten into the act.

The Omaha Police Department is the latest, planning one Tuesday in Elkhorn and another March 3 in Omaha.

Watch the Gazette for information about the next Coffee with a Cop, 10 a.m. the second Tuesday of each month at McDonald's. Drop by, enjoy a cuppa joe, listen to ideas by other cops and civilians and contribute a few of your own. It's a great way to get to know the people who help keep our community safe, let them know about your concerns and hear about ways their job can be made easier.

Check out the nationwide movement at http://bit.ly/1e8gVbX