LAPLACE — National Coffee With a Cop Day, recognized Wednesday at PJ’s Coffee in LaPlace, allowed St. John the Baptist Parish residents and public officials to ask questions and build camaraderie with representatives from the Sheriff’s Office.

Rather than functioning as a question and answer session, the event opened a forum of free discussion through socialization.

Community members were invited to bring forward any concerns or issues impacting the parish.

However, according to St. John Sheriff’s Office public relations specialist Deputy Angel Thompson, most attendees viewed the occasion as an opportunity to become acquainted with the police force and show support for one another.

LaPlace resident and New Orleans native Susan Lapara attended after seeing a flier for the event the day before.

She said she feels deeply connected to the cause because her father, brother and brother-in-law previously worked for the New Orleans Police Department, and she sees the importance of positive community outreach in a world where many view law enforcement in a negative light.

“My heart is with these people,” Lapara said. “I made sure to be here and show my support because they’ve really been doing a great job.”

Thompson said building positive bonds between the Sheriff’s Office and the public is essential to maintaining open communication and ensuring the safety of the community.

“When people have the chance to talk to the officers, they build connections allowing them to become more comfortable with reaching out to us and expressing concerns,” Thompson said.

Chief Deputy Steve Guidry attended to support the community as the community supports law enforcement, expressing the importance of mutual respect.

Public officials were also invited to Coffee With a Cop. St. John the Baptist Parish Schools Superintendent Kevin George and Carl Butler, attorney for the Sheriff’s Office, were in attendance Wednesday morning.

According to Sheriff Mike Tregre, this was the first time the St. John Sheriff’s Office has participated and he plans to continue the tradition for years to come.

“I’ve done meet and greets in coffee shops before, but I wanted people to come have coffee with the employees,” Sheriff Tregre said.  “After all, it’s Coffee With a Cop Day, not Coffee with the Sheriff. They’ve seen me before, but now they get to meet the detectives, administration and people from the jail.”

Tregre handed out challenge coins to community members. He said the small medallions, inscribed with the Sheriff’s Office symbol, represent the work and ethics of the agency.

— By Brooke Robichaux