The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) of Brant County held its inaugural “Coffee with a Cop” event at The Old Mill Café in St. George, bringing together community members and officers in a casual setting to foster dialogue. The gathering was attended by three OPP members, including Staff Sergeant Jason McTaggart.
The OPP emphasized the importance of connecting with residents and listening to their safety concerns. Speaking with BrantBlog.ca, McTaggart expressed enthusiasm for the initiative. “This is a valuable opportunity to engage with the community, listen to their concerns, and build stronger relationships,” he said.
Tracy Wagensveld, owner of The Old Mill Café, hosted the event and described it as a success. “It was well-attended and really interesting to see people mingling with the police officers,” she said. “I had only expected one officer to come and chat with people, but several showed up, which was a great surprise. It also helped my business as a new owner, especially since the OPP promoted the event on their social media.”
Wagensveld shared that hosting the event was part of her broader effort to connect with the community and bring more foot traffic to the café.
Chris Janssen, owner of the building where the café is located, reflected on the value of having a coffee shop in St. George. “We’ve had a coffee shop here ever since we bought the building 17 years ago, and each owner has brought something different,” Janssen said. “This café really understands what the community of St. George needs—a place where people can meet, have coffee, enjoy a meal, and connect socially. It fills a gap that other restaurants, which open later in the day, don’t address.”
Although Janssen did not raise any safety concerns during the event, he praised the OPP’s responsiveness and shared stories about the café’s history and Wagensveld’s journey as a business owner.
The event demonstrated the importance of building trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve. Residents were able to voice concerns, share feedback, and learn more about the OPP’s work in Brant County.
Organizers and attendees alike expressed hope that the event would be the first of many in St. George. For both Wagensveld and Janssen, the day underscored the role of The Old Mill Café as a vital part of the community.
