BELLE — Coffee with a Cop was held on Feb. 4 at Bob’s Frozen Custard in Belle, offering residents a chance to meet with area law enforcement officers in a relaxed, informal setting.

Those in attendance included Maries County Sheriff Mark Morgan, Osage County Sheriff Mike Bonham, Belle Marshal Jerry Coborn, Shannon County Chief Deputy Tim Edwards and Maries County Deputy Roger Wilt. Community members were invited to stop by, have a cup of coffee and visit with officers one-on-one about local concerns, questions or simply to introduce themselves.

Coffee with a Cop began in Hawthorne, Calif., in 2011 when officers with the Hawthorne Police Department were looking for new ways to interact more effectively with the people they serve. As communities have changed over time due to shifting demographics, increased commuting and new forms of communication such as social media, law enforcement agencies recognized the need for more personal, face-to-face engagement outside of emergency or crisis situations.

The idea was a simple one, remove formal barriers and create conversation over coffee. Since its launch, Coffee with a Cop has grown into one of the most successful community-oriented policing programs in the country, now held in all 50 states and expanded internationally to Canada, Europe, Australia, Africa and Latin America.

Organizers say the program’s success comes from creating opportunities for positive interaction that build familiarity and trust, allowing officers and residents to connect in ways that traditional law enforcement encounters often do not.

The next Coffee with a Cop is scheduled from 8 to 10 a.m. on Feb. 11 at Westside 42 Grill, LLC. in Vienna.