Coffee spurs conversation with South Fayette’s police chief
South Fayette police Chief John Phoennik preaches to his police officers about “community-oriented policing.”
The philosophy began in the 1990s when the U.S. Department of Justice established the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services, which provides police departments with funding and information on community policing.
“The days of the policemen being in a car and driving around and responding to things is over. My goal is for our guys to not be a face in the car. I want them to be out,” Phoennik said. “I’m constantly reminding them that these are the people paying their salary, this is why you got into this line of work for and you’re there to help people.”
One way the South Fayette Police Department implements this tactic is through a program Phoennik holds a few times a year called, “Coffee with the Police Chief.”
He got the idea from an article he read on a police department in California that had “Coffee with cops.”
After he became police chief in August 2014, Phoennik started the program the following January. Since then, Phoennik has spent one night every other month sitting down with South Fayette residents over coffee and doughnuts.
“(It’s for) people give me their criticisms, concerns, suggestions, compliments,” he said. “I think the most important thing is if there is an issue I can hear it straight from the mouths of the taxpayers about what they want. Then I can go back to the guys and implement it. That’s the main reason for this.”
Phoennik said the sitdowns, which he’s held about 15 of since 2015, help him execute his job.
“It not only helps them, it helps me understand the needs of the community,” he said. “I’m not on the street anymore. I’m at a desk pushing papers, so it keeps me connected to the people who pay our salaries want and need.”
Phoennik rotates where he goes within the township. In May, he went to the Hunting Ridge residential community. Last week, he went to Sturgeon. Anyone is invited and Phoennik said about 10 to 25 people attend on average.
About 10 Sturgeon residents attended the event July 13 meeting at the Sturgeon Volunteer Fire Department. Residents and Phoennik discussed speeding, abandoned vehicles, road safety, the recent additions to the township and challenges that come with South Fayette growing.
In addition to “Coffee with the Police Chief,” Phoennik said the department has other efforts to implement community-oriented policing, including an anonymous tip line, education magazines and the Prescription Drug Take-Back Program.
“South Fayette is a wonderful place,” Phoennik said. “I have a vested interest here. I’ve been here for 28 years. I live here and have three kids in the South Fayette schools. I do care about what happens here.”