Penn State Police to host 'Coffee with a Cop' events statewide Oct. 1

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - National Coffee with a Cop Day is Wednesday, Oct. 1, and Penn State police officers are celebrating by giving away coffee and snacks at 22 Penn State campuses across Pennsylvania.

Penn State employees and students are invited to stop by one of these events for free refreshments and to get to know the Penn State police officers who serve their campus. Employees and students also are encouraged to ask questions and learn more about the programs and services offered by University Police, a unit within University Police and Public Safety.

"National Coffee with a Cop Day provides an important opportunity for our officers to connect with both students and staff in a meaningful way," said Wesley Sheets, associate vice president and chief of Police and Public Safety. "Our goal is to encourage honest, respectful conversations that help build a stronger and more unified campus environment. This event also allows campus community members to get to know their officers and discover valuable safety resources available to them."

Police officers will host events throughout the day, at the times and locations noted below. Employees and students are encouraged to arrive early, as refreshments are available while supplies last.

• Abington: 10:30-11:30 a.m., Woodland Lobby
• Altoona: 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Port Sky Cafe
• Beaver: 10 a.m.-noon, Brodhead Bistro Patio
• Behrend: 8-11 a.m., Reed Union Building Breakwall
• Berks: noon-1:30 p.m., Perkins Student Center, Lower Level Lobby
• Dickinson Law: 9-11 a.m., Trickett Hall, Ridge Commons
• DuBois: 9-10 a.m., Lion's Den Cafe
• Fayette: 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Williams Building Quad Area
• Greater Allegheny: 8:45-10:15 a.m., Frable Building, 2nd Floor Lounge
• Hazleton:10 a.m.-noon, Butler Building, Upper Level
• Lehigh Valley: 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Centre Hall
• Mont Alto: 9-10:30 a.m., Millstream Cafe, Garden Room
• New Kensington: 8:30-10:30 a.m., Main Lobby
• Schuylkill: 9-11 a.m., Student Community Center
• Shenango: 9:30-11 a.m., Great Hall
• University Park: 9-11 a.m., Redifer Commons
• York: 9-10:30 a.m. and 5-6:30 p.m., Romano Building Lobby

In addition, the following campuses will host Coffee with a Cop events on alternative dates:

• Brandywine: Tuesday, Sept. 30, 9-11 a.m., Student Union Building
• Harrisburg: Wednesday, Oct. 8, 8:30-9:30 a.m., Olmsted Building Atrium
• Wilkes-Barre: Wednesday, October 8, noon-1 p.m., Academic Commons Lobby

Founded by police in Hawthorne, California, in 2011, Coffee with a Cop Day has become one of the most successful community-oriented policing programs in the country and is celebrated in all 50 states. Additional information on this initiative can be found at coffeewithacop.com.

For more information on the services provided to the Penn State community by University Police and Public Safety, visit police.psu.edu.