By JIMMY LAWTON

POTSDAM – Acting Potsdam Police Chief Mark Murray said the department’s “coffee-with-a-cop” event helped strengthen bonds between law enforcement agencies and the public.

The event was held Tuesday at the McDonald’s in Potsdam.

“Turnout was great and all public responses were positive,” Murray said in an emailed response.

A similar event was held in October at the beginning of the month. Lieutenant Daniel Mousaw of the Ogdensburg Police Force also reported a strong turnout at his department’s event.

Both officers are hopeful to hold similar events in the future.

Murray said he and his fellow officers discussed security concerns and traffic issues within the village.

“It was great for citizens to put names to faces for our police staff, shake hands, and have conversation over breakfast,” he said.

“We had other law enforcement agencies represented at the event including SUNY Potsdam University Police and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Investigations. We explained how our agencies collaborate and share resources,” he said.

Murray said his department plans on holding another event soon at the same location, but possibly at a different time of day.

“No doubt this event helped strengthen the bonds between our local police department and the citizens in attendance,” he said.

Lt. Mousaw of the Ogdensburg Police Force said the event was a great experience for the community at large.

“I would venture to say that we met and spoke to 25 to 30 people. We were able to connect, not only with community members from the City of Ogdensburg, but also with community members from surrounding towns and villages who work in the community, were running errands, or simply enjoying some breakfast and coffee,” he said. “We all left the restaurant feeling very positive about the event, and hope that the community members we were able to speak with feel the same,” he said.