
Kearney Police Chief Bryan Waugh worked behind the counter serving drinks during the Coffee with a Cop event, (Brian Neben, Central Nebraska Today)
KEARNEY — The Kearney Police Department and Buffalo County Sheriff’s Office took part in “Coffee with a Cop” which was hosted by the Friends of Law Enforcement at Barista’s Daily Grind on Friday, July 12.
Steve Lind, a member of the Friends of Law Enforcement group, said that they were hosting the event to show support for local law enforcement and give the community a chance to interact with them.
Attendees had the chance to ask questions, share concerns and get to know their local law enforcement members better in an informal setting.
With the event being hosted at Barista’s Daily Grind, Kearney Police Chief Bryan Waugh was seen behind the counter helping to make and serve drinks to patrons.
With an hour left in the event, Lind said they had multiple members of both the Kearney Police, Buffalo County Sheriff’s Office and Nebraska State Patrol attend, along with a pack house of residents.
Lind said this was the second time that the Friends of Law Enforcement had hosted a similar event. He said connecting law enforcement with the community creates an important connection that makes keeping the community safe an easier task.
Multiple watchful eyes are more effective than law enforcement’s alone, Lind said.
When asked about wider community support for law enforcement, Lind said, “without a doubt,” Kearney supports law enforcement and noted that the calls to “defund the police,” were not heard locally.
Lind noted the Friends of Law Enforcement is hosting an event on Aug.1 at the Younes Complex to help raise funds for scholarships for those who are interested in entering the law enforcement profession. Tickets are $25.
Scholarship applications are available at the Kearney Area Chamber of Commerce.
Kearney/Buffalo County Friends of Law Enforcement Fund
The fund’s mission is to support special needs and projects for the City of Kearney Police Department and Buffalo County Sheriff’s Department – making the community a safer place to live and maintaining the quality of life.