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CLEMMONS — Throughout the country, the Coffee with a Cop program offers community members chances to meet their local law enforcement officers and ask them questions. In Clemmons, however, the program has an added twist to help make it attractive to children and benefit local businesses.

The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office hosted Pizza with the Police on Tuesday at Mediterraneo Pizza and Grill in Clemmons, and Lieutenant Jody Chatham said that the department added the spin in order to make it more attractive, because “a lot of people don’t drink coffee. Kids don’t want nothing to do with coffee.”

“I saw it on the Los Angeles Police Department where they had Pizza with the Police and I went to (Director of Marketing and Communications) Shannon Ford at the time, and it’s Lynette Fox now, and said ‘what do you guys think of this? Can we throw something at it and make it work?” said Chatham.

Chatham said that he joined the Clemmons community in 2022, and was looking for ways to continue to grow their presence in the community when he brought the idea before the village.

“Years ago, “Coffee with a Cop” was just a little blurb, and so nobody would show up, but we started in 2022 and I wanted to get really involved with the community, because that’s what we do is community policing and that’s what I specialize in is community policing. I’m good with community and I’d like more community involvement in everything we do,” said Chatham.

Now the Clemmons community has quarterly events where they can meet the deputies that serve their community, including Custard with a Cop at Abbott’s Frozen Custard, Pizza with the Police at Mediterraneo and of course Coffee with a Cop at Chick-fil-A. With all three rotating, Chatham said that the department should have something that appeals to all demographics.

With that wide-ranging appeal, Chatham said that people have shown up and talked to them about anything and everything, ranging from questions about barking dogs and the noise ordinances to children who want to meet the officers and “ask all kinds of questions. Most times, they really want the swag stuff we have.”

“This was one of our largest turnouts in our efforts to make sure that our Clemmons Community Policing Officers and citizens are communicating with each other in a positive and relaxed atmosphere. Residents are also able to share ideas with myself and staff about how to continue making Clemmons the best place to live and work. It was a great afternoon and hope folks can make it to our next one Custard with a Cop on July 15,” wrote Mayor Mike Rogers in an email.