On June 12, officers from the Medford Township Police Department and community members will come together in an informal, neutral space to discuss community issues, build relationships, and enjoy a cup or cone of ice cream. This is a unique opportunity for residents to talk and interact with Medford police officers on a personal level, not in a formal meeting setting.
Ice Cream with a Cop provides a unique opportunity for community members to ask questions and learn more about the department’s work in Medford’s neighborhoods. All community members are invited to attend. The event begins at 6 p.m. at Daddy-O’s Frozen Yogurt, 11 Jackson Road in Medford and runs until 8 p.m. Residents are free to stop in anytime.
The majority of contact law enforcement has with the public happens during emergencies, or emotional situations. Those situations are not always the most effective times for relationship building with the community, and some community members may feel that officers are unapproachable on the street. Ice Cream with a Cop breaks down barriers and allows for a relaxed, one-on-one interaction.
Ice Cream with a Cop is a spin-off of Coffee with a Cop which is a national initiative supported by The United States Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services. Medford Police hosted a Coffee with a Cop event in March, which was extremely successful.
The program aims to advance the practice of community policing through improving relationships between police officers and community members one ice cream cone at a time.
Please contact Lieutenant Waterman with questions at (609) 654–7511 x 108 or awaterman@medfordpolice.org.
