Residents and staff at Brookdale Echelon Lake in Voorhees welcomed local law enforcement for a morning of conversation and camaraderie at its Coffee with a Cop event on Jan. 16.
The assisted living and memory care community hosted a relaxed and friendly encounter where residents engaged with police officers and asked questions in an attempt to build stronger relationships between each other.
Officers had coffee and donuts while mingling with attendees to foster meaningful dialogue and connection. Coffee With a Cop – started in 1984 – has been marked across the country each year on the first Wednesday in October, while local muncipalities schedule their own versions of the event.
“It’s a way to give thanks and thank our police officers who support Voorhees Township,” said Annika Raroha, sales manager of Brookdale Echelon Lake. “It was a nice visit. They brought out (township police) Lt. Brian Foster, and several officers and detectives attended and chatted with the residents and staff.”
The officers expressed their gratitude for Brookdale’s hospitality and support, emphasizing how valuable such interactions are in strengthening community ties. For the residents, it was an opportunity to engage directly with the people who keep them safe, but it also reinforced the vital role that connection and communication play in building safer, more inclusive communities.