You're invited for Coffee With a Cop!
Members from the Okotoks RCMP and Municipal Enforcement will be at the Tim Hortons/Wendy's at 12 Southridge Drive on Thursday, Jan. 30 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. to answer questions over a coffee.
Obviously, a lot of interactions with the police and peace officers happen during stressful situations, so this is a great opportunity to just have a gab with them in a more casual environment.
Municipal Enforcement Manager Vikram Kulkarni and Staff Sgt. Mike Zinck with the Okotoks RCMP visited the Plumbing & Heating Paramedics Studio to chat about what you can expect.
Vikram explained where the idea came from.
"This is carrying forward from the 2024 Public Safety Survey, where the results very clearly indicated that members of this community would like to see more of a visible presence from both the Municipal Enforcement Teams and the Okotoks RCMP. This is our start of having that conversation and that engagement."
The time of day will let them get some face time with a couple of different age groups.
"We're trying to get the folks who are regular visitors to Tim Hortons at that time of day. Our 'experienced group' is what I'd like to call them, our passionate seniors here in Okotoks. Also at noon, we get a chance to connect with some of the youth that will be stopping by at the Wendy's in the same facility."
Staff Sgt. Zinck seemed pretty excited.
"I'm very excited. 32 year's experience and it's sadly, my very first Coffee With a Cop Event, but I'm excited. There'll be a few of us representing the detachment in attendance. It's a great opportunity to engage the community in a very informal setting and to hear what's important to them... And who doesn't love having a coffee? It's going to be a win-win for everybody."
The Town of Okotoks has more info on the event on their website.