Lakewood PD Introduces Coffee With A Vet Program

The Lakewood Police Department has launched a new outreach program aimed at connecting with Veterans in the community. The initiative, called Coffee With A Vet, began this month at the Cove Community Center and is led by Lakewood police officers who are also military Veterans.

The idea is modeled after the department’s Coffee With A Cop gatherings, but with a key difference: every participating officer has served, or is still serving, in the Armed Forces. That shared background allows for a level of understanding and connection that can be especially important when a Veteran may be struggling or in need of support.

Lakewood has a strong tradition of employing Veterans, with 21 percent of the police force made up of prior service members. Their experiences give them a unique ability to relate to and assist other Veterans in the city. For many, simply knowing they are speaking with a fellow Veteran can help put them at ease.

The first Coffee With A Vet took place on Tuesday, August 5, at the Cove Community Center. The event was well received, with the center providing a welcoming setting for Veterans to share conversation with officers who have worn both the nation’s uniform and the Lakewood badge.

The department plans to hold Coffee With A Vet on the first Tuesday of each month from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the Cove Community Center. The gatherings are informal; just coffee and conversation in a supportive environment. Unlike other meeting spots, the center provides a neutral, alcohol-free space where Veterans can come together, connect, and be heard.