Kearney Police, Buffalo County Sheriff Participate in ‘Coffee with a Cop’ Event | 1340 KGFW

KEARNEY — The Kearney Police Department and Buffalo County Sheriff’s Office participated in the Friends of Law Enforcement’s “Coffee with a Cop” at Barista’s Daily Grind on Friday, July 12.

Steve Lind, a member of the Friends of Law Enforcement group, said they organized the event to show support for local law enforcement and give the community a chance to interact with them.

Participants had the opportunity to ask questions, share concerns and get to know local law enforcement members better in an informal setting.

With the event being held at Barista’s Daily Grind, Kearney Police Chief Bryan Waugh was seen behind the counter helping to prepare and serve drinks to customers.

With an hour left before the event, Lind said they had several members of the Kearney Police Department, Buffalo County Sheriff’s Office and Nebraska State Patrol in attendance, along with a group of residents.

Lind said this is the second time Friends of Law Enforcement has hosted a similar event. He added that connecting law enforcement with the community creates an important bond that makes it easier to keep the community safe.

According to Lind, surveillance of multiple people is more effective than surveillance by law enforcement alone.

Asked about the broader community’s support for law enforcement, Lind said, “Without a doubt,” Kearney supports law enforcement and noted that calls to “defund the police” have not been heard locally.

Lind said Friends of Law Enforcement is hosting an event Aug. 1 at the Younes Complex to help raise money for scholarships for those interested in entering the law enforcement profession. Tickets are $25.

Scholarship applications are available through the Kearney Area Chamber of Commerce.

Kearney/Buffalo County Law Enforcement Friends Fund

The mission of the fund is to support the special needs and projects of the City of Kearney Police Department and the Buffalo County Sheriff’s Department – making the community a safer place to live and maintaining quality of life.