Coffee with a Cop brings residents and officers together

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- For most people, if they see a line of cop cars outside their favorite coffee spot, they'll keep driving, but that wasn't the case this time. The Houston Police Department partnered with five McDonald's locations for "Coffee With a Cop" day.

The McDonald's drive-thru line at the West Belfort location was moving a little slower Thursday morning, thanks to some coffee talk with HPD Chief Charles McClelland. "Any opportunity where we can enhance our police community relationship and get out there in the community -- it's a good thing," says McClelland.

He, along with several Houston Police officers, spent the first half of their day getting to know customers at different McDonald's locations.

At the west Houston location on Westheimer, Martha Tripp and Carolyn Boozer made "Coffee with a Cop" a priority on their schedule.

"It's nice to get to see them in a different environment. It's not an emergency. Everybody's relaxed," says Boozer.

"These ladies are leaders in their community, so talking to them and getting their feedback -- that's the whole purpose of this," says Division Commander James Deal.

For the HPD this event is all about building relationships.

"It's important for citizens to know that we are friendly. We want to shake their hands. We want them to know we are here to support them and protect them," says Officer Treva Mott.