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DOWAGIAC — Wednesday was National Coffee with a Cop Day and Dowagiac police officers and firefighters stopped by the Cass County COA Front Street, 227 S Front St., Dowagiac, in an effort to build relationships with the community over cups of coffee.

Coffee with a Cop Day is a nationwide event dedicated to encouraging communication and positive interactions between law enforcement agencies and the public. According to Dowagiac Police/Fire Department Administrative Assistant Michell Outlaw, approximately 40 people attended the event.

“That’s by far the biggest we’ve had so far,” she said. “I credit a lot of that to the COA because they’re already pulling in a loyal crowd, and it worked out really well. There’s no scripts, there’s no speeches or presentations and I think people are more comfortable with that. I think they bring more to the table when it’s in that setting versus coming to the police station.”

With officers and residents alike leading busy lives, Dowagiac Police/Fire Department Administrative Assistant Michell Outlaw said that often police and civilian interaction is based on stressful situations when residents call for help for help or assistance. For Outlaw, events like Coffee with a Cop are “heartwarming.”

“People see us as humans too,” she said. “We’re part of the community, too and I think a lot of people are surprised by that. It’s always been separate police, separate fire and when they realize, oh, your kids are playing in games here, too or  you went to that event, too. It kind of humanizes both departments, police and fire so it’s nice that people are starting to understand that we’re here and we’re trying to do good. We’re putting ourselves out there so we are getting recognized that we are part of the community. I think that makes a big difference – people are more comfortable to talk to you when they know you’re invested here.”

Those in attendance discussed a variety of topics over coffee and doughnuts, including the rash of recent break-ins, smoke detectors, the local ambulance shortage and more. In addition, the police department gave away seven gun locks during the event.

“To give away one or two is a big deal but seven is huge,” she said. “We give them away, no questions asked. There are people that aren’t sure how to work them and we’ll absolutely show them how to safely install them or take them off safely if they need to. We always welcome those kinds of inquiries.”

Outlaw said more Coffee with a Cop events will take place next year and urged community members to contact the police department if they notice any suspicious activity.

“It’s better to be proactive than reactive,” she said. “A lot of people think ‘I don’t want to bother them’ or ‘this might not be anything.’ It’s not a bother – absolutely call us. Even if you just want someone to patrol the neighborhood, call us; it never hurts because you might be that missing piece of the puzzle to solve something bigger. You might see someone that puts someone in an area that we may not have known about if you didn’t, so it’s absolutely welcomed to call it in.”