It was a brew-tiful day for the latest Coffee with a Cop event, where police from the Limestone Coast Local Service Area engaged with the community.
The event, held at the Mount Gambier Marketplace, attracted many kids during the school holidays and Sergeant Jade Hill was ecstatic with the attendance.
“It was amazing, we had such a large turnout,” she said.
“There were lots of people which means lots of good engagement, and people from all walks of life as well.”
People jumped on the police bikes and hopped in the police car for a look and there was a special appearance from new Mount Gambier Police Blue Light volunteer ‘Lego Man.’
“Alex is amazing, he is very keen to be involved and work alongside us and we are really keen to have him on board as well,” Sgt Hill said.
“He is a joy to work with and knowing we are bringing a smile to his face and the faces of community by utilising him as a Blue Light volunteer is really good.”
Sgt Hill believed police engaging with young people was extremely important.
“I have always said that our kids are our next generations of adults and parents, and we need young people to feel safe in our community and know that we are safe people to come to because they are vulnerable being young,” she said.
“As they grow into adulthood, we want them to learn that we are a service they can utilise, learn that we are safe people to come to and report to should they need us, and they can rely on us.
“The younger we can have that positive engagement with kids the better, because then they take that right through.
“It is all part of that rapport building and that positive experience for young people and their parents, because it is good for parents to recognise their kids have a good understanding of us as well.”
Sgt Hill expressed her appreciation for the Mount Gambier Marketplace centre management team.
“It serves a really valuable purpose for our community, so I am really appreciative to (marketing manager) Paula Creasey and the team up at the Marketplace as well, and the various businesses that also supply the coffee and the donuts, it is a real team effort,” she said.
