Artesians with questions or concerns regarding local law enforcement are encouraged to attend the Artesia Police Department’s latest installment of Coffee with a Cop Friday.
Cmdr. Lindell Smith of the APD says this event will be organized a bit differently than those in the past. Rather than bring multiple officers on duty in to participate, the APD will have representatives from all four divisions of the department: patrol, criminal investigation, court and administration.
Smith says past Coffee with a Cop events have proven successful. Occasionally, people have attended seeking information about a specific case, and while Smith says officers can’t discuss matters of a confidential nature, they are able to provide general information – even about topics over which they have no direct control.
“People have asked us in the very recent past about things like gun control,” said Smith. “We all have our personal opinions, and we can discuss that kind of topic, but we’re obviously not the ones who are going to make the big moves to change the whole system.
“But we’re looking forward to talking to people about any topic, and this format allows us to be a little more one-on-one with people.”
The primary goal of Coffee with a Cop is to establish relationships between the citizens of Artesia and the people who serve and protect them, and Smith encourages everyone to turn out from 8-10 a.m. Friday at The Jahva House.
“Come and express your thoughts, ask questions, and get to know your local police department,” he said. “We all have to work together to get things done. The PD certainly can’t get it done all by ourselves. We need each other’s help and to know what each other is thinking so we an move forward.”
