No charge: If you had a few minutes to spare, Calgary’s cops had free coffee, conversation

Police and partners hosted a 'Coffee with a Uniform' community outreach event Wednesday at Calgary's Bow building, on the Plus 15 level. (Image by Damien Wood / CTV Calgary)

It would’ve been hard not to notice the police presence Wednesday inside downtown Calgary’s Bow building, Plus 15 level.

But it wasn’t like that.

It was about coffee and conversation over cuffs.

“We’re trying to connect with the public,” said Const. Chad Peterson.

“We’ve heard from the public they want police to be more accessible, so this is one of the ways we’re trying.”

Coffee with a Uniform is a semi-regular Calgary Police Service effort.

Citizens passing by between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. were welcome to stop off, grab a coffee and chat up officers with the local force and its partner agencies.

“It’s the connection with the community we all want,” Peterson said.

“We often, unfortunately, get called to people’s residences or interact with them on the worst day of their lives, (but this puts) everybody back on the same playing field.”

Concerns brought forward by the public include:

• Social disorder;
• Transit safety;
• Road and pedestrian safety; and
• Homelessness and addiction.

At least a couple of people had questions about employment.

***

Elizabeth Curle works in the Bow building.

To get there, she rides CTrains most days.

She took the opportunity Wednesday to ask about something that gnaws at her.

“I was asking, ‘What do you do when someone’s on the train and maybe they’re under the influence or causing a problem? What happens when that person is taken off? What happens to them?’” she said.

“I was also talking about how it bothers me that we’re so bigoted. Sometimes, you’ll see someone in a heap on the floor and you’ll just assume ... and you’ll leave them.

“If it were me or one of my friends on the floor, everyone would be like, ‘Oh, my god! This person needs help!’”

Brian Taylor, a Community Safety officer, said homelessness and addiction are things to address daily downtown.

He showed laminated cards with names and numbers of various support resources.

They’re worn from being pulled out of a pocket and thumbed through over and over again.

“I can’t solve homelessness, (but) I can provide some solutions,” he said.

“I have information to give people ... to try to be proactive, but I can’t make them phone the numbers.

“Maybe it’s going to change something for them. (Or) maybe not, but that’s the hope, right?”

***

Guled Bote is a justice studies student at Bow Valley College who wants to be a police officer.

When he saw a post on Instagram promoting Wednesday’s event, he walked over with questions ready.

He’s a fan of outreach—it made all the difference for him once.

“In my opinion, one cop can really make a difference,” he said.

“I met one cop when I was in middle school (and) I didn’t have a very strong opinion on policing back then, just as a Black man, but he taught me a way different viewpoint.

“Now, I want to do the same for others.”

He feels community outreach is beneficial for those in the uniforms as well.

“I think there are a lot of misconceptions, for sure, but at the end of the day, they’re here to protect us,” he said.