The new year is getting kicked off with plenty of opportunities to interact with local law enforcement as two of the valley’s police departments host open meetings with the public.

On Tuesday, the Kalispell Police Department, the Kalispell Police Protective Association and McDonald’s will partner in a new program called “Coffee or Cone with a Cop.”

McDonald’s will provide a cup of coffee or ice cream cone to those in attendance. This event is open to everyone, and families are strongly encouraged to attend. Kalispell Police officers will provide safety presentations and demonstrations that focus on topics such as stranger danger, internet safety, bicycle safety, drug awareness, and much more. Officers might also give demonstrations of how they use their equipment.

This event is only held at the McDonald’s at 1110 U.S. 2 West in Kalispell, by the county fairgrounds, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Kalispell Police Chief Roger Nasset also plans to continue having monthly “Coffee with the Chief” meetings at Sykes Diner, which typically consist of adults interacting and speaking with Nasset about a number of police-related issues. Those meetings will begin again on Feb. 8 at 5:30 p.m.

For more information about either of the programs, contact Chief Nasset at 406-758-7786.

The Whitefish Police Department is also working with McDonald’s to implement its own “Coffee or Cone with a Cop” program.

“People can bring their kids and kids can get a free ice cream cone,” Whitefish Police Chief Bill Dial said. “It’s a time for the public to come and meet with myself and the other officers.”

The first event will be held Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. The program is to encourage open dialogue between police officers and citizens, which is vital to the community policing efforts within Whitefish and the Flathead Valley. Families are encouraged to stop at the Whitefish McDonald’s, which is located adjacent to the Mountain Mall, and enjoy a free cup of coffee or ice cream for the kids.

Reporter Megan Strickland can be reached at 758-4459 or mstrickland@dailyinterlake.com.