VIENNA — Vienna and county residents had the opportunity to conversation with local and county law enforcement this week as the Maries County Sheriff’s Office hosted Coffee with a Cop at Westside 42 Grill.

The event brought Sheriff Mark Morgan and deputies to town following a similar event held the previous week in Belle, continuing an effort to meet residents where they are and encourage open communication outside of emergency situations. Community members dropped in throughout the morning, taking time to visit with officers in a relaxed, informal setting.

Rather than a structured meeting, Coffee with a Cop is designed to give residents a chance to ask questions, voice concerns or simply get to know the deputies who patrol their communities on a daily basis. Conversations ranged from local topics and safety concerns to everyday discussion with many visitors simply introducing themselves.

“I love to go out in the community and give people a chance to interact without any kind of agenda,” Morgan said. “Maybe they’ve had a good interaction with law enforcement. Maybe it’s been a bad interaction, but just kind of a neutral location, just kind of come out and have a friendly chat, or they just want to sit down and have a donut and a coffee.”

Holding the gathering at Westside 42 Grill provided a comfortable local atmosphere, allowing discussions to happen naturally over coffee and donuts. Events like these aim to strengthen relationships between law enforcement and the public by creating opportunities for face-to-face interaction in a non-enforcement environment. Owner of Westside 42 Grill Cody Windle laid out an entire spread of coffee and donuts for the event, including a sign made just for the sheriff’s office. 

“Maries County has always been extremely, extremely supportive of their local law enforcement,” Morgan said. “And I really appreciate that.”

The sheriff’s office plans to continue hosting Coffee with a Cop events throughout Maries County, rotating locations so residents in different communities have the chance to participate and connect with local officers.

Officers and deputies present at Coffee with a Cop were Morgan, Jefferey Younger, soon-to-be-deputy and current jailer Greg Andrews, Ariel Green, Vienna Police Chief Shannon Thompson and Deputy Roger Wilt.

Morgan also said he plans to host future Coffee with a Cop events, both in the afternoon and the morning, to accomadate those who can not make the morning sessions.