On the afternoon of Wednesday, April 15, the Lakewood Police Department visited Despina’s Bakery for coffee and conversation with the community. The event provided an opportunity for residents to casually meet their first responders while enjoying dessert or a beverage. Events like these allow the community to ask questions they might not typically have the chance to pose to on-duty officers.
Coffee with first responder events typically occur throughout the year, featuring police, firefighters, and sometimes veterans. On the first Tuesday of every month, Lakewood hosts “Coffee With a Vet” at the Cove Community Center. These gatherings recognize those who work tirelessly to keep the community safe and provide residents with a chance to familiarize themselves with local personnel or discuss issues.
The April 15 meeting was hosted at Despina’s Bakery, which has hosted the Lakewood event multiple times. This local Greek bakery is run by Despina Sarantopoulou, who takes pride in hosting the Lakewood Police. She provided sweets for visitors to enjoy while talking with officers.
“Today’s atmosphere is kind of busy, with different people,” Sarantopoulou said. “This morning, we had a very big crowd. These ladies come here every two weeks for their meeting. Today was nice for them because they all live in Lakewood and could meet the local cops.”
Sarantopoulou expressed her enthusiasm for hosting the event and its positive impact on the community. “My favorite thing is we can get to know them a little more because it’s hard to talk to them during the time out on duty, and they’ve been so friendly. I can give people the opportunity to come to my place and have some coffee, so they can, you know, talk to them too,” Sarantopoulou said.
“Coffee With a Cop” would not be as successful without the warm and welcoming personalities of the Lakewood Police. Officers Kristen Chengeri and Jonathan Schmitz spent the afternoon engaging in productive conversations, demonstrating the care they exhibit to build bonds and answering questions about local issues.
The officers expressed their appreciation for these events, noting they provide a valuable opportunity to connect with residents. “It gives people the opportunity to ask questions they might not ask under other circumstances. More freely ask something they wouldn’t if they were on a call,” Schmitz said.
Both officers highlighted how these informal settings make residents more comfortable and open to learning about their city, which they consider a positive experience. “We’re able to sit down and talk to people, one-on-one, not in an environment where something traumatic has happened,” Chengeri said.
The officers also enjoy having more casual conversations, as they usually deal with serious issues in their daily work. “You get to hear what’s on people’s minds, whether it’s neighbor disputes or general curiosity about law enforcement,” Schmitz said. “The group we spoke to earlier today, who has since left, was really interested in body cameras, tasers, and similar topics. That was a fun conversation.”
Lakewood would not be the city it is without a caring law enforcement community. The officers demonstrate their genuine concern for residents and their well-being. “We’re just trying to build relationships and create fun events to make us more approachable because, obviously, you can tell we’re just people too,” Schmitz said.
“Coffee With a Cop” on April 15 was another success for the Lakewood Police. The turnout was exciting for both officers and Sarantopoulou. While the next event date has not yet been confirmed, similar gatherings are usually held multiple times a year. These events are a wonderful way to strengthen community ties in Lakewood, exemplifying the police department’s goal to foster a warm, community-oriented environment.
