Wadsworth police connect with seniors at first Coffee with a Cop event of 2026

WADSWORTH — Wadsworth police shared coffee and conversations with seniors inside the Soprema Center Cafe on Wednesday to connect residents with law enforcement. The Soprema Senior Center hosts Coffee with a Cop several times a year, which allows seniors to have informal conversations with police officers and ask them questions. Former Wadsworth Police Chief Dan Chafin started the tradition, and current Police Chief Dave Dorland has continued the event. "One of the things we try to do with these events is introduce you to new officers and officers that may have changed roles within the department recently," Dorland said. Former school resource officers Ben Smith and Dan Shonk were at Wednesday's event. Smith used to be a school resource officer in charge of the high school, and he returned to the patrol division in the middle of 2025. Shonk has been with Wadsworth police since 2009 and was promoted to sergeant in December. "(Shonk) works very hard, as all of our officers do," Dorland said. "We look forward to him being in this position and being part of our leadership team." Alyson Haydu is one of the department's newest officers and is a lifelong Wadsworth resident who went to Wadsworth High School. She started on Jan. 5 and is in her field training. "She's a fantastic person and a great hire," Dorland said. "We're very happy and lucky to have her, and we know she'll do great things with us." Administrative Assistant Jennifer Neforos and Dispatch Supervisor Kathryn Cindia also spoke with seniors on Wednesday. "I'm very proud of all our officers," Dorland said. "They do a great job, not only in their jobs, but also because they love to come out to community events like this and interact with all the people. Whether it's kids at day care centers and the schools or at the senior center, they volunteer to come out to events like this. That's one of the reasons that I love our department." Contact reporter Madisyn Woodring at (330) 721-4049 or mwoodring@medina-gazette.com.