Town Centre Cop Runs Lemonade Stand to Bridge Community Gap
PC Lewis Bennett Takes to the Streets with Lemonade
PC Lewis Bennett swapped his usual beat for a lemonade stand on Old High Street on Sunday, 12 September 2021. The initiative, dubbed the LemonAID Response Unit, was the brainchild of artist Victoria Melody and featured as part of Creative Folkestone’s Open Quarter 2021.
Quenching More Than Just Thirst
The project aimed to smash social barriers, giving locals a chance to chat face-to-face with a police officer over a refreshing drink. People of all ages stopped by to quiz PC Bennett, sharing concerns about crime and safety while gaining insight into the day-to-day life of law enforcement.
From Light-Hearted Banter to Serious Crime Talk
“The stand was busy from start to finish,” said PC Bennett. “I served plenty of lemonade and answered a ton of questions. Some were fun, like how many bad guys I’ve caught, how fast police cars go, and my favourite football team. Others were more serious, discussing policing laws and handling tricky situations.”
He added, “It was a fantastic way to meet local folks and really showed me the power of community engagement.”
Artist Hails Project as a Game-Changer
Victoria Melody said: “The LemonAID Response Unit is a simple idea with radical intentions. It aims to break the cycle of stereotypes and build trust between the police, young people, and the wider community. It’s fun, but it’s also changing how people think.”
