by Chuck Seaver, South Lake Tablet
The Clermont Police Department (CPD) held its bi-monthly Coffee with a Cop, a community relations event, on Wednesday, November 19th at the Wawa Convenience Store, 1909 US-27 North, Clermont. Coffee with a Cop is a program designed to enhance the relationship between community members and law enforcement officers in the communities they serve. Businesses throughout the area often host the Coffee with a Cop program to exhibit not only support of the community but also support of the local first responders. It also provides a neutral location for real conversations about issues that matter.
With the holiday season in full kickoff mode, the CPD announced several upcoming community events that range from toy drives to the annual “Battle of the Badges” basketball game. But before the morning of mingling with the citizens was barely underway, the officers were approached by a young single mother on her way into the store. The cheerful mom recognized the officers from last year’s toy drive and stopped to thank them for making her child’s Christmas a success.
After an exchange of hugs and brief life updates, CPD Sgt. Erin Razo inquired about the young lady’s present well-being. The humbled and pleasant smile of the young mother quickly turned into tears and a struggle for words. She explained that she had recently lost her mother unexpectedly and that she was still attempting to find a permanent home for her and her middle school-aged daughter. The Christmas season appears dim to the working mother that like many, is struggling during these tough times of rising food prices and out-of-affordability-range of rent costs.
Sgt. Razo took the shy mom to the side with a gentle embrace and words of encouragement. After a brief conversation, the mother left armed with social service, grief counselor and Christmas assistance information provided by the CPD. “This is exactly what Coffee with a Cop is all about. One never knows what another person in the community may be struggling with. That’s why we offer a friendly, mutual-ground place for people to bring their concerns or struggles to us,” says Sgt. Razo.
Many others stopped by the CPD booth with words of traffic concerns and thanks for the service that the Clermont Police Department offers. One gentleman, with few words, simply asked the officers if he could say a word of prayer with them in solidarity with peace and safety among the officers and the community. After a word of prayer with the officers, the man simply faded into the crowd of people awaiting their morning coffee and breakfast sandwich.
The Clermont Police Department will be hosting the annual Battle of the Badges basketball game at the Aurelia Cole Academy, 150 Pitt Street, Clermont on December 12th, at 6:30 PM. Admission to the fun-spirited match between the Clermont Police Department and the Lake County Sheriff’s Office is a new and unwrapped toy. All toys will be donated to The Christian Men in Action to be distributed on Christmas Eve during the annual give-away event at McKinney Park, Clermont.
Other holiday drive events sponsored by the CPD are as follows:
- “Stuff a Cruiser” on December 3rd, from 3PM – 6PM at Walmart, 1450 John’s Lake Road. New and unwrapped toys will be collected for children in need.
- “Stuff a Cruiser for Seniors,” partnered with Home Instead, on December 8th, 3PM – 6 PM at the Belk store, 270 Citrus Tower Blvd. With the initiative to bring holiday cheer to our seniors in need, participants are encouraged to donate new, unwrapped items such as clothing, slippers, toiletries, and blankets to help fill the cruiser with gifts for our senior-aged community members.
- “Stuff a Cruiser” on December 15th, from 3PM – 6PM at Target, 2660 East SR-50. New and unwrapped toys will be collected for children in need.
In partnership with the Clermont Fire Department, the CPD will be participating in the annual “Santa on a Fire Engine” community event on December 20th and December 21st. The event, which is a holiday favorite among seasoned kids as well as young ones, will visit six City of Clermont parks throughout the two days. Further information will be available soon. The event schedule is as follows:
December 20th
- Park Pals, 1250 12th Street at 10 AM
- McKinney Park, 801 Bloxam Avenue at 11 AM (includes lunch)
- Waterfront Park, 100 Third Street at 1 PM
December 21st
- Clermont Arts & Recreation Center, 3700 US-27 South at 10 AM
- Lake Felter Park, 1750 Johns Lake Road at 11 AM (includes lunch)
- Hancock Park, 3301 Hancock Road at 1 PM
Visit the Clermont Police Department (FL) Facebook page for continuing updates to holiday and community event schedules.
