NORTH BATTLEFORD — Battlefords RCMP was pleased with the response to its first Coffee with a Cop event.
Members of the public had a chance to sit down and discuss anything that came to mind with local RCMP officers on Jan. 15 at McDonald’s restaurant on Railway Avenue in North Battleford.
Battlefords RCMP Cpl. Steve Bell said the event was a success.
"The whole time we were there, we were engaging with people and had multiple conversations going on," he said. "It was very informal, just a way for the public to get out and see us and talk to us, and make us a little bit more accessible and approachable… We definitely saw it as really beneficial, so we'll be looking at setting it up again."
Some of the issues people discussed included recruiting and homelessness in the community.
"[They talked about] the unhoused issue, homelessness, addiction issues, and just how do we as a community better support them, and get to know some other agencies, talking about how do we get people connected to the services that are out there to try and help them with any struggles they may be encountering," Bell said.
People also discussed downtown policing and foot patrols.
"We had some positive comments about the foot patrols, and the engagement with the businesses that we've had going on this past summer," Bell said. "There's definitely a wide range of topics covered, and I think we probably hit on every one, between all the different groups and people that we're talking to."
Bell said he was also pleased with the number of partner agencies that joined Battlefords RCMP for the event.
The Battlefords Citizens on Patrol volunteer group, the Saskatchewan Marshals Service and Victim Services also participated in the Coffee with a Cop event.
"It was good to just see the wide range of different agencies come out and be there to answer questions, and interact with us as well," Bell said.
