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LEWISTON — Aroma Joe’s was the scene of a large police presence Thursday morning at 1930 Lisbon St.

Some customers were hesitant to pull in when they noticed police cruisers in the parking lot and were surprised to see officers not only in the lobby and outside, but behind the cash registers waiting on customers and preparing orders.

It was all part of the Tip-A-Cop fundraising event for Special Olympics Maine, whose Winter Games are scheduled for Feb. 25 and 26 in several locations across the state. The alpine skiing competition is set for Feb. 26 at Lost Valley in Auburn.

In addition to helping raise money for a good cause, police Sgt. Desiree Michaud said, the event was a great opportunity to connect with community members.

Lewiston police Officer Olivia Bergeron, second from left, waits with Justin Beliveau, left, and Ryan Bouchard at Aroma Joe’s in Lewiston during a Tip-A-Cop fundraising event.
Lewiston police Sgt. Desiree Michaud, right, talks with Emma Mederios on Thursday morning at Aroma Joe’s at 1930 Lisbon St. in Lewiston. “I think it is important to recognize and show appreciation to our local police officers, especially since they have been compared to ICE, which they are not anything like,” said Mederios.
Lewiston police Officer Olivia Bergeron, middle, watches Thursday as a Special Olympics Maine athlete, left, hands Natasha Sanchez a LPD Lewiston Strong Giving Band at Aroma Joe’s on Lisbon Street.
Ryan Bouchard, a Special Olympics Maine athlete, hands out a Giving Band on Thursday morning in front of Aroma Joe’s where a Tip-A-Cop fundraising event was taking place to raise money for Special Olympics Maine.
Lewiston police Officer Aaron Schmitz prepares an order Thursday morning.
Lewiston police Officer Aaron Schmitz, right, waits on Emma Mederios. “I think it is important to recognize and show appreciation to our local police officers, especially since they have been compared to ICE, which they are not anything like,” Mederios said.
Lewiston police Officer Cory Chamberlain cashes out a customer.
Aaron Schmitz of the Lewiston Police Department passes an order to a customer.

A lifelong resident of Lewiston, Russ stumbled into photography as a college student working toward a career in psychology. His great-grandfather Louis B. Costello was the publisher of the Lewiston Daily...