All members of the University of Wyoming community who were in attendance for this week’s Coffee with a Cop event in the UW Student Union were greeted with a warm smile from Officer Werger.
Werger, a member of the UW police force since 2015, is an alumni of the university, and his favorite aspect of his job is getting to “interact with people” who are where he was just a few years ago.
The purpose of the Coffee with a Cop event was to spread knowledge of various programs available to students and faculty at UW. Programs such as No More, The Albany County Safe Project and Be the Solution, all aim to foster a safer environment on campus and throughout Laramie.
The Coffee with a Cop table was filled with all sorts of flyers regarding these different programs, and free coffee for any who stopped. Hannah Fox, an intern for the UW police force, was more than eager to answer any questions anyone may have regarding these programs. Fox said working for the campus police and helping those in need was a “real pleasure” and that she was “learning a lot.”
Students who passed Fox and Werger were greeted with a warm environment filled with their constant joking and smiles on their faces. However, when asked a question regarding campus services they answered in the most serious and knowledgeable manner possible.
Werger especially endorsed the No More program. This program is dedicated to forming a community in which everyone works together to help prevent domestic violence and sexual assault. Werger was adamant that whenever a student has a problem, “the UW police force will always be there to help,” especially in matters as serious as those involved in the No More program.
Micayla Crimmins, an employee at the information desk, said that the reception the Coffee with a Cop event was getting from the students “was great,” and that the location of the event in the breezeway of the union was “perfect,” because it really gave students a “chance to connect to the police on a more personal level.”
Werger, Fox and the entire UW police force want students to know, “It’s okay to ask for help,” and that no matter the situation, the campus police always have the student’s and the community’s best interests at heart.
Werger said that students “should be sure to keep an eye out for other up coming events” with campus police this October.
