Coffee with the Cops at FHS

Jeff Hollidge from the Venango County Sheriff's Office talks with Franklin High School students during Coffee with the Cops in the high school cafeteria on Friday. (By Sydney Herdle)
From staff reports

Franklin junior and senior high school students had the opportunity to socialize with local law enforcement officers during a Coffee with the Cops event prior to the start of classes Friday.

Police officers from departments within the Franklin School District jurisdiction – Franklin police, Polk Borough police, Venango County Sheriff’s Office and Franklin state police – hopped from table to table in the high school cafeteria and conversed with a large turnout of students over breakfast and coffee.

The meet-and-greet between the officers and students exceeded the expectations of the organizers, Franklin High School teachers Amber Martino and Eva Hollidge.

“This is the most kids I’ve seen in the cafeteria in the morning,” Hollidge said. “It was such a success…and a positive experience for both sides.”

Martino said the goal was for the students to interact with the officers outside of a stressful situation in a non-confrontational environment.

“We did it to remind them to make good choices going into the summer,” Martino said.

Hollidge and Martino said they hope Coffee with the Cops is something they will continue to hold multiple times throughout the school year next year.