Tyler Police Lieutenant Rusty Jacks talks with Kevin Lilly, owner and operator of 18 East Texas McDonald's Restaurants and Berta Winn at McDonald's 4014 S. Broadway Ave. location in Tyler during the Coffee with Cops event Friday Dec. 16, 2016. The program initiates conversations between law enforcement officials and community members. (Sarah A. Miller/Tyler Morning Telegraph)

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Customers at a local McDonald’s got quite a surprise Friday morning when they pulled up to the drive-thru window.

Tyler Police Officer Chuck Boyce was there to greet customers and hand them their meals.

“We are planting seeds,” Boyce said. “I hope we let them know there are no barriers between us and our community.”

On Friday morning, McDonald’s at 4014 S. Broadway Ave. hosted “Coffee with Cops,” allowing customers the chance to visit the restaurant, enjoy free coffee and have conversations with police officers.

The purpose of the morning was for members of the community to get a chance to connect with officers.

“Most people see police officers and they’re in action …” said Kevin Lilly, who owns the McDonald’s location, along with 17 other restaurants in East Texas. “This is a setting that is great to drink a cup of coffee and find out what you want to know.”

Inside the restaurant, officers smiled while making their rounds to several different tables. Boyce said he enjoyed working the drive-thru window and hoped everyone the officers encountered enjoyed the interaction.

“Everybody doesn’t expect to see an officer at the window,” he said. “(I hope) this let them know we are approachable.” 

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