North Bay Police Chief Daryl Longworth was pleased with his new initiative as he enjoyed a cup of coffee at two locations and listened to concerned citizens face-to-face.
Longworth, who officially took over as the North Bay Police Chief in late March hosted "Coffee with the Chief" at two locations this week. On Monday at Twigg's on McKeown Avenue and at Tim Horton's on Wednesday at the intersection of Seymour and the bypass.
"Yes I have done this in the past and I think it is something police departments have traditionally done 'coffee with a cop' I have just taken it a step further as 'coffee with the chief' especially me being new here," explained Longworth at a recent Police Board meeting.
On Wednesday morning the Chief had citizens lined up to meet him. He says the biggest concerns that continued to pop up during the conversations were homelessness and addictions.
See related: Want to have coffee with the Chief?
He believes Coffee with the Chief was another way for the former Woodstock Police Chief to get to know North Bay.
"This has been very helpful for me because I did get a lot of suggestions on things that we can improve - more so with the community and not so much with the police," he said.
"For instance, citizens I spoke with are looking for more opportunities for young people and fill their time with positive things, more opportunities for homeless people to have a place to go during the daytime instead of being on the streets."
The meetings also helped him create more local connections.
"I have been introduced to several organizations that I was not aware of in town," said Longworth.
"I have been introduced to a couple of new executive directors of organizations that people suggest I go see as part of my getting to know the community so this has been very helpful for me to get to know the community and understand it better."
Longworth believes understanding the perception of police in his new community is important too.
"I think collectively understanding how people view the police and the expectations they have of the police service is kind of an overwhelming benefit for me getting to know the community but also understanding how people view the police in this community as well and opportunities for us to do a better job," he said.
The lineups to meet him were impressive.
"I was surprised, you never know what happens when you do things like this," he said.
"I have done town hall meetings before where four people showed up but for this to have people lined up for both dates lined up and willing to wait for 30 minutes or more shows the commitment these people have to try to make the community a better place and I certainly value the opinions they brought."
