A program aimed to bring law enforcement and the community together has reached Middle Tennessee.
"Cop Stop" was first started by Joanna Young in Germantown two years ago. It was an opportunity for residents to better know their police officers through Friday night meals.
The initiative has grown to 23 different communities in seven states. Families would open up their homes to officers to visit, relax, and grab a meal.
Young's sister Mary York worked for several months to bring the idea to Rutherford County.
"The community wants to know their officers and they want the officers to know they support and stand behind them," York told NewsChannel 5.
A program that brings law enforcement & the community together has reached Middle TN. What it's about on @NC5. pic.twitter.com/XvRlivHzTU
— Matthew Torres (@NC5_MTorres) September 19, 2016
The Rutherford County Sheriff's Office was the first agency to join York. She kicked it off with an event at Sharps Spring Park in Smyrna on Sunday where several deputies got to meet some of the volunteer hosts.
"This is a concept outside the norm for us," Sergeant Trey Nunley said. "It helps remind us that not everybody we deal with is against us."
So far 30 families, some from outside of Rutherford County, have agreed to host.
Although the program is new to Middle Tennessee, York has planned to have "Cop Stop" every Monday and Thursday.
To learn more, click on this link.
