Sustainable dialogue: Coffee with the police in the Leoben district

Sustainable dialogue: Coffee with the police in the Leoben district

In the most recent exchange format “Coffee with Cops”, citizens in the Leoben district had the opportunity to talk to local police officers about various topics in a relaxed atmosphere. This initiative was organized to promote communication between the police and the public in order to reduce barriers and build trust.

The events took place at several locations, for example at the market town hall in Niklasdorf, the district headquarters in Leoben and many other places. This gave people the chance to chat with their police officers over a cup of coffee without there being a formal agenda. The initiative aims to reduce prejudice and strengthen the connection between police and the community.

An informal exchange

The idea behind “Coffee with Cops” is to take away residents’ fears of contact and to create a platform on which concerns and ideas can be expressed openly. “So together we made the personal environment a little safer, better and more livable,” explained Gerd Hornbacher, the security coordinator for the city of Leoben.

In total, over 250 cups of coffee were provided at these meetings. The visitors were not only provided with drinks, but also received small gifts such as muesli bars and key chains. These small gifts should help lighten the conversation and break the ice. The mayors of the surrounding communities also took part in the events to promote supportive exchange.

This format shows how important open communication between the police and the public is. Such encounters can lead to better understanding between citizens and officials, which ultimately benefits security in the region.

For more information about this initiative and the specific results of the discussions Click here.