State College Police host ‘Coffee and Conversations’ event
STATE COLLEGE — In honor of National Coffee With a Cop Day held on Oct. 1, State
College Police Dept. (SCPD) hosted a “Coffee and Conversations” event in the
Municipal Building Lobby where patrol officers, detectives and other employees could
mingle with community members over a caffeinated beverage and donut.
While most attendees headed straight for the refreshment table upon walking in, there
were also SCPD magnets, sticker badges and “connection cards” to inspire
conversation set up in the lobby.
SCPD Community Relations Officer Kyleen Abrahamson has helped organize this event
for the past two years, and believes it’s a great way to bring the local community and
police department together.
“We want to get to know the community,” Abrahamson said. “We want to get to know
them in happier ways, not just when they’re having an emergency and we’re responding
to their worst scenario. We want to be able to connect on different levels.”
Abrahamson said that any community members or organizations that have an idea for a
collaborative event with the police should reach out, and they’d be happy to make it
happen.
“Whether it’s just something random, I try to make buttons or magnets and specialize
them to that event or organization,” Abrahamson said. “And just make them feel like
we’re really a part of what they’re doing.”
Nonprofit organization Housing Transitions was one community group represented at
the event, with Program Manager Shannon Newby and Rapid Rehousing Case
Manager Kris Reilly in attendance.
Newby and Reilly both came to keep their connections with the police department
strong, especially with Housing Transition’s mission to assist unsheltered individuals in
the Centre County Area.
“It’s about getting people involved,” Reilly said. “Answering questions, being a tangible
person that somebody can talk to and ask questions other than behind a glass door
or on the other side of a phone call.”
Reilly emphasized the importance of the SCPD continuing to host events like this.
“We need as many people as we can get together to form the frontlines for any cause,”
Reilly said.
Centre Helps Program Manager Natasha Smith and Basic Needs Case Manager Bella
Huber attended the event to make connections with community members.
“I think there’s a really good turnout,” Huber said. “There’s a lot of people from different
sectors of not only the local government, but also just community members and
organizations.”
Smith and Huber agreed on how helpful it was to mingle with attendees at the event.
Abrahamson said anyone who wants more information on upcoming SCPD events,
including a trunk-or-treat for children on Oct. 30, can visit the State College Borough
website.
Kaitlyn Murphy is a senior Journalism major at The Pennsylvania State University, and is serving an internship with The Centre County Gazette.
