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Farmington police offer conversation over coffee

2 mins read
Peck
Police Chief Jack Peck

FARMINGTON – Police Chief Jack Peck is planning a new way for members of the public to interact with the department, beginning next Thursday at the Dunkin Donuts on the Wilton Road.

Coffee With A Cop will be held once a month from 9 a.m. until 10 a.m. There will be no agenda or speeches, Peck said, just an opportunity to talk to him and other officers about issues in the community or department.

Peck said that he had seen similar program work in other communities. The informal gatherings provide an opportunity for residents to express concerns, raise issues and ask questions about the department, without the potential intimidation of coming to the police station.

“It’s an open invitation to come and talk about whatever people want to talk about,” Peck said.

Peck said that he had approached the owner of the local Dunkin Donuts and gotten the okay to use the venue. He noted that at the Farmington Fair, he typically had four or five people waiting to talk to him about something. Going into the the police station could a barrier for some, he noted.

“It’s done in other communities,” Peck said. “I thought it’d be a good idea.”

The program will be held every third Thursday each month, beginning at 9 a.m. and running until 10 a.m. at the Dunkin Donuts at 636 Wilton Road in Farmington. If people show up and have questions to ask, Peck noted, the event could run past 10 a.m.

The first meeting will be Feb. 18, starting at 9 a.m.

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16 Comments

  1. Great idea for the Farmington P.D. The Bangor P.D. has an excellent Facebook page that is informative and fun to read. Check it out.

  2. You are a brave one Chief..
    Hopefully we don’t stampede..

    Good gesture on your part.
    I like it.

  3. This is a great idea. Wish it was offered in my community. Would like to have the opportunity to suggest the possibility that law enforcement could take seminars on how to spot pathological lairs who are out to get people . Such a waste and strain on law enforcement, the courts, the district attorneys office, and the tax payers just because someone is mad and has an agenda against another person.
    Hope other police , sheriff departments , and the Maine state police start offering such a wonderful service to their citizens as Jack Peck has.

  4. Having grown up in a town of less than 1,000, I really appreciate it when law enforcement reaches out to communities as people, not just as officers. I wish the best for this program, and hope that FPD can continue to work towards community policing!

  5. I think also a great opportunity for the police to educate some of the public on what they would like from us. Obviously not in a preachy way or as the main agenda, but I’m sure some of the public would like that kind of input also.

  6. What an outstanding approach! Looking forward to updates on issues and relationships that this proactive idea unleashes and promotes.

  7. Great Idea Jack! I might have a few questions my self. Out of the Office is good! Much less intimidating. Good luck!

  8. Sorry…would love to chat, but I work. I’ll catch ya sometime. I’m not afraid of going to the PD building. But you and most of the officers are pretty approachable, I’ve found.

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