The Coon Rapids Police Department has thrown its doors open to connect the vulnerable with help in the soothing presence of Lori Halbur, a licensed social worker whose office is now a bastion of hope within the department's walls.

Heralding a shift in how law enforcement engages with those it serves, this initiative is more than a program—it's a recognition of the multifaceted struggles permeating everyday lives. On the third Thursday of each month, from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., at Anoka County Library's Crooked Lake Branch, Halbur will hold her office, ready and able to link arms with anyone in need of a guiding light. Appointments are not necessary, ensuring accessibility for all who wish to seek out this assistance.

Halbur's compendium of support covers a spectrum of critical concerns, as outlined on the Coon Rapids official website. From mental health to substance use; homelessness or housing insecurity; food, financial, and job insecurity; to the unique challenges faced by children, parents, and older adults—the ambit of her care is comprehensive, underscoring the police department's embracement of a more holistic, less punitive, mode of public service.