This Thursday, September 5th, Bru64 on 64 West Main Street hosted, “Coffee with A Cop” for the community of Cortland. This event was a great opportunity for the students of Cortland to meet local law enforcement.
As the school year kicks off, this event proved to be both insightful and informative, especially since many SUNY Cortland students will be venturing off campus and engaging with Cortland’s residents. Building a positive and supportive community between students and locals is a top priority for the officers. The officers state to students of Tompkins Cortland Community College and SUNY Cortland, “You are a true resident of the City of Cortland, which means you have the same rights and responsibilities as any other resident. Please enjoy our City. We invite you to take part in our local civic and community services.”
The event at Bru64 provided a relaxed and low-stakes atmosphere where attendees could freely discuss important topics such as parking, off-campus parties, and substance use. The relaxed setting encouraged open conversation and engagement. Attendees enjoyed food courtesy of Grogers, while Bru64 generously provided complimentary coffee, adding to the welcoming environment.
As the school year resumes, it’s crucial for students to recognize their role in the community and understand how their actions affect the lives of Cortland’s year-round residents. Lieutenant Cheyenne Cute highlighted that students are part of the Cortland community for 10 months and are treated with respect. In return, students should also show respect and contribute positively. When engaging with the community, approach it with kindness and treat the town as if it were your own home, because it is for 10 months. The people of Cortland are our neighbors, so being a good neighbor means steering clear of vandalism, loud parties, and disruptive or intoxicated behavior in public.
Another key issue that emerged during discussions was parking. Both on-campus and off-campus parking have been persistent sources of concern within the community. Many students and residents have expressed frustration over parking limitations, highlighting the need for continued dialogue and potential solutions.
Deputy Chief of Police David M. Guerrera outlined several key parking regulations in Cortland, including no parking on city streets between 2 and 6 a.m., adherence to electronic meter parking, use of designated overnight parking spaces on odd and even dates, and obtaining parking permits by calling 607-758-8331 or in special circumstances 607-844-7173. More parking information can be found by visiting the website https://ecode360.com/13636322.
The officers encouraged students to participate in open dialogue and invited their questions, with the goal of helping them become responsible citizens in Cortland. They are deeply involved in the community and plan to host more events in the future. Students should remain attentive to these opportunities and make an effort to attend and engage.
This year, the officers will be present at The Great Cortland Pumpkinfest on October 5th and 6th, and they also shared that they typically organize community outreach events every three months. These events are a great way to show up and make a positive impact!