Have concerns to share or questions to ask Manteca Police officers?

You have the opportunity to do that in a casual setting this Thursday, Jan. 9, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. when Manteca Police stage Fries with the Force at the McDonald’s 1226 West Yosemite Ave.

The fast food location is near one of the red light cameras at the Union Road and Yosemite Avenue.

The intersection is expected to become the city’s first intersection with operating red light cameras by mid-month.

After that, the second intersection will be Daniels Street at Airport Way with three more intersections to follow. Those three intersections are Main Street and Northgate Drive, Main Street and Louise Avenue, and Yosemite Avenue and Commerce Drive/Northwoods Avenue.

The red light cameras — once warnings are issued for 30 days after an intersection’s cameras go online followed by tickets after that — will assuredly become a major point of conversation in Manteca.

You can ask officers how the cameras wok, what will constitute a red light running ticket, and more.

Roughly 20 percent of Manteca’s 1,000 plus traffic mishaps involve intersection collisions. 

Reducing such collisions caused by red light running is the main reason why the City Council went to red light cameras.

Those attending are free to share other concerns.

Thursday’s take on Coffee with a Cop is part of the department’s ongoing efforts to connect with the community in informal settings.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com