Taylor police plan to hold community chat each quarter
Residents and visitors alike recently had a chance to chat with Chief Joseph Chacon and Taylor Police Department officers over a free cup of coffee.
Chacon is continuing the tradition set by his predecessor, Henry Fluck, to hold “Coffee with a Cop” every quarter.
“Coffee with the Chief” was the first in Chacon’s new tenure, which began this spring. Fluck stepped down last year.
Cohosted by Starbucks, 2990 N. Main St., Chacon and members of the force welcomed the public from 8:30-10 a.m. Aug. 6 by sharing a complimentary cup of joe and conversing with allcomers.
“This is one of our favorite events… because we can just sit down and have a cup of coffee and talk with people in a nonemergency situation,” said police Commander Joseph Branson. “We can ask about things in their neighborhoods or at their businesses, or whatever they want to talk to us about.”
Taylor resident Jose Rodriguez has a cup of coffee at Starbucks every morning. He was surprised to see the shop full when he arrived on Thursday.
“It looked like a police party,” he quipped.
Curiosity got the better of him, and Rodriguez started up a conversation with the officers. He was excited to learn they were there specifically to speak with neighbors and other customers.
“I hope they keep this up. It’s great,” Rodriguez said.
While Thursday’s “Coffee with the Chief” was Chacon’s first in Taylor, he said he has participated in many other “Coffee with a Cop” events. He is the former chief of the Austin Police Department and started with the El Paso police force in the 1990s.
“I have fun doing this,” Chacon said, but he especially looked forward to his first Taylor event due to the community backing he said he has already experienced.
“It is a joy to go to work every day when you feel supported like that. It makes doing the work easier,” he added.
