Whataburger, police department hold Coffee With A Cop

By LYNETTE SOWELL
Cove Leader-Press 

The Copperas Cove Police Department’s third Coffee With A Cop event was the biggest yet so far, if judging by the full house at Whataburger from 7:00 until 9 a.m. on Saturday morning.
Officers with the CCPD had a chance to spend time visiting and having coffee with local residents in a casual, informal setting. 
Police Chief Eddie Wilson said initially they weren’t sure how things would go for an early Saturday morning event, but they were pleased with the turnout. 
“It was busy right from the very beginning, at 7:00. From 7:00 to 9:00 is shift change time for our officers, so we’ve had some coming on shift, and others going off,” Wilson said. Many of them turned out during the department’s transition time. 
Whataburger provided coffee at no charge, along with an assortment of snacks for those attending.
Kim House is the Area Manager for Whataburger and kept the coffee flowing and snacks coming. 
“Each month, there are at least five of the Coffee With A Cop events in our area stores,” House said. “These are a way we can show appreciation for our men – and women – in blue. They work so hard for us every day. We get to see them in a relaxed atmosphere.”  
In addition to Copperas Cove, Whataburger stores in Killeen, Harker Heights, Belton and Temple host he Coffee With A Cop.
Edmundo Canton was one of the many residents to stop by Whataburger for some coffee and conversation. 
“I heard about it on Facebook, and received an invitation to come, so I did. I think it’s great,” said Canton. “With all the negativity about police in general, this is something positive.”
This was his first time coming to a Coffee With A Cop event, and he said he enjoyed talking one-on-one with the officers, to include Chief Wilson. 
“He invited me to stop by sometime for a tour of the police station,” Canton added. 
The Copperas Cove Police Department held its first Coffee With A Cop at Whataburger last October as part of National Coffee With A Cop Day, then held one earlier this year at Starbuck’s in Copperas Cove. 
This Saturday, the department is holding Cone With A Cop at Waffle Cone in Cove Terrace Shopping Center from noon until 3 p.m. Each child under 12 years old will receive a cone. Volunteers will be on hand to provide free KIDDO cards, which are cards given to parents to help identify their children in case of an emergency.