Connect with a cop over coffee

Neighbourhood Support and NZ Police are continuing to host “Coffee with a Cop” sessions on the first Friday of every month across the Hibiscus Coast, giving residents and business owners a chance to meet local officers in an informal setting.

The December coffee meet up was held recently at Real Food cafe, Ōrewa with Community Constable Sam Webb.

The initiative is designed to build trust and strengthen relationships by encouraging conversation outside formal police stations or emergency situations. Participants can raise questions, discuss community concerns, or simply chat with officers over a coffee.

The monthly events have been held since June, rotating between Silverdale, Whangaparāoa and Ōrewa in partnership with the Silverdale Business Association, Destination Ōrewa and the Whangaparāoa Business Association. Hibiscus Coast Neighbourhood Support organiser Tracella Owens says the opportunity for one-on-one discussions with Police has been well received.

“For most of the events we have had a representative from the Hibiscus and Bays Local Board to cover off any Council issues. But recently we have been inviting the Auckland Council community safety wardens, who were able to attend the most recent event. We hope they will also attend future meetings.”

Neighbourhood Support has also introduced Safer Plates, a practical crime-prevention project aimed at reducing the theft of number plates, which are often used in petrol drive-offs and other offending. At Safer Plates events, standard licence plate screws are replaced with specialised screws, which make plates much harder to remove.

The first event was held with the Silverdale Business Association, Police and the Ōrewa Lions Club and Owens says they plan to run Safer Plates sessions on the Coast every two months, starting in  the New Year.

More information: hcns.org.nz, connect@hcnz.org.nz