Residents express appreciation for police and community concerns
By Lauren Parker- Gill, News Editor, The Times
COATESVILLE – Coffee with the Chief has been held each month at Fuel City Café since April and has been well received by members of the community who stop in to speak to the Coatesville Police Chief Jack Laufer, Lieutenant James Audette and Sergeant Rodger Ollis
This month, Laufer invited Supervising Special Agent Charles Dayoub, of the FBI headquarters in Newtown Square, which covers both Delaware and Chester counties, to attend and meet with the residents of Coatesville.
“It was great that Chief Laufer reached out and invited me to come today.” Dayoub stated. “We have great relationships with local law enforcement in Delaware County and Chester County.”
One Coatesville resident and also a landlord in the area, Alice Wheatley, brought in a homemade pistachio cake to share with the officers as a way to thank them for their service and show her appreciation to them.
Another resident stopped in to discuss excessive speeding on South First Avenue and quality of life issues in the Regency Park Apartment complex. Laufer listened to the resident’s observations and told her that the police department had been in touch with the property manager of the apartment complex and were working with them on possible solutions and suggested speed timing for South First Avenue.
As Coffee with the Chief was taking place, Officer Kurt Guyer witnessed 8-year-old Jaiden Devine cleaning up trash in Ash Park and was issued a ‘ticket’ for doing something right. Devine stopped into Fuel City with his father to show the chief, lieutenant and sergeant his reward.
“Great job!” Ollis said to Devine. “Less trash equals less crime and you’re helping our city.”
As Dayoub observed this exchange, he went on to say that Laufer and the Coatesville Police Department are doing a great job with their community outreach efforts and he was happy to attend Coffee with the Chief as it shows residents a sense of community at the federal, state and local levels.
Of note: In addition to the regularly scheduled Coffee with the Chief event Wednesday, Sept. 7, an additional Coffee with the Chief has been scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 10, from 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. at Fuel City Café to accommodate those who are unable to attend during the week.