Detroit, MI – Community members in Detroit’s Sixth Precinct had chance to chat with their local police officers over cup of joe and pastries during the “Coffee With A Cop” event on February 10.

The public event, hosted at the McDonalds location owned by Tina Brundidge, gave residents the opportunity to speak openly, and get better acquainted, with the officers who patrol their neighborhoods. Communication with the people they serve has been a major focus of the Precinct, especially under new Captain LaShanna Potts.

“Events like this are so important,” Captain Potts said. “With the history we had the Sixth Precinct recently, we had some issues and we addressed them, and now the community and us feel like we’re part of a family.”

Along with the chance to speak with their local officers one-on-one, the crowded event also gave residents access to important and educational information about safety in the community, some of which can be seen below:

“I think we should do it more often, because every time they come, I learn something new, and so do the people here,” said owner Tina Brundidge. “This way, some of the younger folks can see that police are normal, and they can talk to them. Its very good for the community.”

Efforts to improve communication between police and the people they serve aren’t just underway in the Sixth Precinct. In the years since Chief James Craig returned to Detroit in 2013, the entire Department has focused on being transparent and reaching out to the neighborhoods.

“We weren’t always like this,” Captain Potts said. “In 23 years of doing this job, I can tell you that the leadership under our chief is something different. He is a community-oriented leader. I think that is why we are so successful at what we do.”