Crestwood residents will have an opportunity to ask questions and learn more about the city’s Police Department and its officers during a Coffee With a Cop event from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday at Starbucks, 9590 Watson Road.

At the Coffee With a Cop, residents and police officers come together in an informal, neutral space to discuss community issues, build relationships and drink coffee, according to a news release.

The majority of contacts officers have with the public occur during emergencies or emotional situations. Those situations are not always the most effective times for relationship building with the community, and some residents may believe that officers are unapproachable on the street.

Coffee With a Cop breaks down barriers and allows for a relaxed, one-on-one interaction, according to the release.

“We hope that community members will feel comfortable to ask questions, bring concerns or simply get to know our officers,” Police Chief Frank Arnoldy stated in the release. “These interactions are the foundation of community partnerships.”

Coffee With a Cop is a national initiative supported by the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services.

For more information, contact Officer Dion Olson at dolson@cityofcrestwood.org.