By RANDY SEAVER, Editor
Despite the well-known urban legend that no cop can resist a donut, several witnesses who attended Wednesday’s Coffee With a Cop event at the Biddeford Community Center say none of the officers even touched one of the fine donuts that were provided by Reilly’s Bakery.
Wednesday’s event was coordinated by Recreation Director Lisa Thompson who said she was pleased by the robust public turnout for the event.
“This is something that has been done in many other communities across the country,” Thompson said. “Many communities – including right here in Biddeford – host Night Out events and other ways to get residents better connected to the law enforcement officers who serve the community.”
Biddeford Police Chief JoAnne Fisk, Deputy Chief Steve Gorton and Lt. Normand Allaire attended the event, fielding a variety of questions from the public and then later posing for photos with folks who were anxious to have their picture taken with a uniformed officer.
“It’s a lot of fun for us, and we enjoy the opportunity to connect with people in the friendly way – in a more relaxed and casual setting,” Gorton said. “Things like this are really the foundation of community policing.”
Roughly 25 people attended the 90-minute event, and the questions were rapid-fire and sometimes complex.
The officers answered questions on topics ranging from appropriate medication disposal to traffic accident investigations and how police handle protection from harassment orders.
The mood in the room was friendly. And residents listened intently – even when officers were forced to decline talking about specific personal matters or ongoing investigations.
Officers also shared some of their pet peeves.
“For goodness’s sake, please put down your phones when you’re driving behind the wheel,” Allaire told the group of residents. “Even, when I’m off duty, I see it happening all the time – and I yell out ‘somebody call the police.’
Thompson said she was pleased that the event proved popular and said she would like to do another event with the officers.
“I always think it’s a good idea for us to collaborate with other city departments to promote community engagement and hopefully increase understanding of what’s happening in our city.”
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR | Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He has been covering Biddeford news and politics for nearly three decades. He may be reached by email: randy@randyseaver.com
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