Image: Mike Vanden Bosch / PML / Inspector Jeff Bowerman from the Upper Fraser Valley Regional Detachment shows off the inside of an RCMP SUV to a few individuals and families Wednesday morning outside the Starbucks at Vedder and Keith Wilson. RCMP Sgt. Krista Vrolyk hopes to make "Coffee with a Cop" a monthly event as it rotates locations throughout Chilliwack.
Coffee with a Cop

Coffee with a Cop kicks off in Garrison with free coffee and open dialogue with the public

Feb 1, 2023 | 12:17 PM

CHILLIWACK — The first instalment of what Chilliwack RCMP hopes will be a monthly event kicked off Wednesday morning at the Starbucks in Garrison as “Coffee with a Cop” drew over a dozen attendees and four constables, including high-ranking personnel.

Officer-in-Charge for the Upper Fraser Valley Regional Detachment, Superintendent Davy Lee, was on hand Wednesday morning alongside Inspectors Jeff Bowerman and Darren Pankratz, RCMP Sgt. Krista Vrolyk, media relations spokesperson, and Debbie Sargent, who works in RCMP communications.

As promised, police handed out free coffee with no hidden agenda and no political speeches, rather just open dialogue with Chilliwack residents. All people had to do was sign their first name on a participant list near the Starbucks cash register.

Image: Mike Vanden Bosch / PML

Several families were treated to a tour of an RCMP police unit, of which Inspector Bowerman activated its flashing lights. Smaller kids were allowed to sit inside the vehicle, as is common practice when RCMP interact with younger youth.

The next “Coffee with a Cop” will presumably be held on the north side of town, Sgt. Krista Vrolyk said, as police try to connect with various demographics and communities throughout Chilliwack on a regular basis. The COVID-19 pandemic put a stop to most “Coffee with a Cop” events over the past couple years, with the exception of a lone event in Central Park in downtown Chilliwack, Sgt. Vrolyk said.

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