Officer Anthony Giannico
An Egg Harbor Township police officer's Wawa run Thursday morning resulted in more than just a coffee.
He left with a few new fans.
"Your interaction with the two small little boys was adorable!" resident Lisa Press wrote on the Original Egg Harbor Township Happenings Facebook page shortly after the interaction. "You had such a smile on your face, and really listened to what the little ones were saying. I hope you see this and know that you made me smile watching you. Be safe!"
Press originally wanted to compliment the officer in person, but was not able to find him after witnessing his kindness, she said.
But Facebook did its thing in tracking him down.
"Officer Anthony Giannico is aware of your compliment and was happy to engage with the children," the Egg Harbor Township Police Department page responded. "Thank you for the shout-out!"
Police Chief Fred Spano said he was glad to hear of the positive experience, but was not surprised.
"Historically, we look for people that are going to be good communicators," he told BreakingAC. We encourage and want our officers to engage with the community."
Press said she was happy to see it.
"I was getting my coffee, and I saw the officer smile when he saw the kids," she said. "He was asking them what they had to eat, and they were showing him. He just had the biggest smile, and was so happy to talk to the little ones. It really made my day!"
She estimated the boys were no older than 5.
Press previously worked in the township Police Department's records room, so she said she has "seen the soft side of officers.
"But the smile this officer had, all the while listening to them, was heartwarming," she said.
Giannico has been with the department about a year and a half, Spano said.
When Spano heard about the post, he went over the radio to track down who had spoken to the children that morning at the Wawa at English Creek and Ocean Heights.
Giannico answered the call.
Spano said the officer was doing an important part of the job.
"Part of our mission statement is community engagement, and part of that is interacting with your citizen when you see them in public."
