City of Frisco Police Department staff and Frisco business owners and citizens mingled over coffee at a Cops and Coffee event recently at the police department.

Chief of Police John Bruce and other department staff took the time to meet with attendees, talk about community issues and answer questions.

Bruce talked about the importance of businesses becoming involved with police department and city efforts, and praised Frisco's ability to maintain its sense of community in the face of rapid growth.

Stressing the city-wide initiative of Hide, Lock and Take (Hide your things, Lock your vehicle and Take your keys), police department staff talked to business owners about theft prevention, including theft from vehicles, in parking lots and retail theft.

In response to attendee questions, police department staff also:

Explained the arrangement of the more than 20 school resource officers working at Frisco ISD campuses.

Explained how the S.A.F.E.R. program is allowing Frisco police and firefighters to have school building information when responding to an emergency. Businesses are encouraged to give the city the same emergency information, such as floor plans and surveillance camera locations, in case of emergency.

Told the audience a citizens police academy will begin Sept. 5. The 11 week program takes place from 7-10 p.m. each Thursday night.

Talked about the police department's online community outreach efforts, including Facebook and Twitter as well as the text tip line, Tip 411.

Outlined the department's service of free home and business security checks, which could lead to an insurance policy rate discount.

Talked about the dangers of spreading detailed information, even incidentally, on social media sites.

The police chief said the department hopes to hold more Cops and Coffee events in the future.