‘Everyone just stopping by and seeing us and talking with us, it's just a great time’

ROCHELLE — On Friday, the Rochelle Police Department held its annual ‘Cop on a Rooftop’ campaign at Dunkin’ Donuts to raise money for Special Olympics Illinois. Officers and members of RPD were in the drive thru and on the roof of the business.

RPD has held the yearly event since 2018 when Dunkin’ Donuts opened in the city. 

“If you donate enough money, you can get us off that roof. That's the idea of this,” RPD Interim Chief Pete Pavia said. "The day has been fantastic. I think we have a record turnout this year. It was raining earlier, but now we're good to go. About an hour ago, it was just packed. Everyone just stopping by and seeing us and talking with us, it's just a great time.”

Cop on a Rooftop is the first of RPD’s summer events. It will hold its Law Enforcement Torch Run, also to benefit Special Olympics Illinois, on June 7 and it will host the community for National Night Out on Aug. 1. 

Pavia said he enjoys events where he and members of the department can interact with the community. 

"It's the best way to get to know us,” Pavia said. “They see us in an official capacity when we're working, but at events like this they can talk with us normally. Not on a call. They can put a face and a name to us and we're approachable. We can't do our job without the help of the community. Events like this just help that tremendously."

The entire department gets involved for Cop on a Rooftop, Pavia said, including off-duty officers and dispatchers, even those who worked the night shift Thursday evening. 

Pavia thanked the community for its support of the department and Special Olympics Illinois. Friday’s event was his first as interim chief. 

“We've had so many people come out today just for this,” Pavia said. “They came here to see us and make a donation. It's just great. I can't say enough about it. We really appreciate it. It's great to do this for the first time as chief. I was so excited about it this morning. I wanted to come in early even though I was going to be here all day. I couldn't wait.”