It was early Friday morning and an aspiring writer was sipping coffee around an old table in Looking Glass Cafe as she conversed with experienced minds about a mystery novel she wants to write.
Carrboro resident Merrilie Brown said she was eager to hear ideas from actual police officers for her potential novel.
Some members of Carrboro’s community are developing a unique relationship with their police force while bonding over coffee at local cafes.
Last Friday marked the second Coffee with a Cop event. This program was adopted by the Carrboro Police Department from a movement originating in California. The concept focuses on closing the social gap between law enforcement and town residents.
Sgt. Billy Austin said the first Coffee with a Cop event saw around 30 residents. He said the second event did not get as much participation due to the cold weather.
“We normally meet citizens in limited settings,” he said. “Now we can meet people in a neutral site. We can receive both comments of concern and of praise. It’s a way to check on the community.”
Some of the conversation revolved around prescription drug abuse occurring throughout the nation and in Carrboro. Austin said a way to combat this issue is to have places for people in the community to drop off unneeded prescription drugs.
“We set up this system to prevent people from taking medication that they shouldn’t and we are able to properly dispose of the old medication,” he said.
A variety of police enforcement was present at the event ranging from Carrboro patrol officers to Police Chief Walter Horton. The event even welcomed members of UNC’s Department of Public Safety.
