Monongahela police chat with residents during Coffee with a Cop

By ERIC SEIVERLING
eseiverling@yourmvi.com

With his shaved head, muscular arms and black patrol uniform, Monongahela police Officer Bill Fusco makes an imposing impression.
But Fusco was all smiles and laughs Wednesday when he participated in the Coffee With a Cop program at Little City Coffee.
The program was sponsored by the Monongahela Area Revitalization Corporation, and allowed residents and their children to socialize with police officers in a comfortable and casual atmosphere.
The event featured two sessions – 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.
While at the 5 p.m. session, Fusco, a 12-year veteran of the city’s police force, said it was his first time participating in the event.
“I wasn’t surprised they asked me,” he said. “I know all the kids here. Most kids associate the police with taking their parents to jail. It’s amazing what happens when you break out some stuffed animals and hand them to kids in the houses. The parents who were fighting with each other see that and go ‘why are we fighting?’
“There’s kids here who are teenagers and they’ll see me and say, ‘I still have the stuffed animal you gave me 10 years ago,’” he continued. “I was a kid once. I’m not here to yell at them. People think we’re all bad, but it’s just a couple bad cops who give us a bad name. This lets people know we are human. There’s other ways to do police work now. It’s about problem solving and it’s about treating people with respect.”
The morning session featured visits from Monongahela police Chief Kevin Harris, Sgt. Ryan Lenzi and officers Jeff Todd and Chase Taylor. Carroll Township police Chief Paul Brand participated as well as Washington County Sheriff’s officers Jerry Jericho and Kris Salzman and her K9 partner Obie.
Kids were given gift bags with treats and an activity book courtesy of state Rep. Bud Cook, R-West Pike Run Township, and Sparkles by Shell.
The event’s chairperson and MARC member Sarah O’Brien said she was impressed with the morning session’s turnout from the public.
“I was very shocked that we had a nice turnout considering the bad weather,” O’Brien said. “It’s great to see how they interact with the kids. It was really nice the sheriff’s officers came down, and it was nice for Chief Brand to come down as well.”
The event is part of the Coffee With a Cop national program, which started in California in 2011.
The event has been so popular, it now takes place in Canada, Europe, Australia, Africa and Latin America.
MARC began holding the event in 2017, and was previously chaired by MARC member Matti Gruzs.
“I love our police department,” Gruzs said while watching Fusco talk with kids. “If something were to happen to these kids, how would they know who to trust? I’d like to see this become a regular thing. Police might only see our residents when they’re making arrests. I’d like them to see the better side of our town.”
Belle Vernon resident Jodie Olszewski brought her granddaughters Cali, 7, and Paisley, 6, to the event.
“I think it’s important for them not to be afraid of the police,” she said. “If something bad is going on, they know they can go and talk to the police. Police officers are our friends.”

Jenn Codeluppi / Mon Valley Independent
Sam Gruzs talks with Monongahela police Officer Chase Taylor during the Coffee with a Cop event at Little City Coffee in Monongahela.