Saugus seeks to open cop shop at Square One Mall

SAUGUS – Plans are in the works for opening a Community Policing substation at the Square One Mall.The mall has been a longtime problem plagued by gangs and shoplifters.Police Lt. Michael Annese said a substation would go a long way in keeping things peaceful there.”Detective Dominic DiMella and drug Detective (Kevin) Murphy have been really involved in establishing it,” Annese said.Annese said the mall’s new General Manager Susan Yee is also excited by the prospect of having a constant police presence, though she could not be reached for comment Friday.The only hitch in the project could be finding the funds for an officer to man the station.Annese said mall officials offered to pay to hire an additional officer but, unfortunately, it doesn’t work that simply. Annese said even if the mall paid to hire an officer, there is no guarantee the officer would be available to only work the substation, particularly since the department is down 10 officers.Instead, Annese said the mall has offered to fund the overtime cost for having an officer on hand.”That might work, if we can fill the overtime,” Annese said.He is hoping something can be worked out because it would make life at the mall easier for everyone. Annese said just putting up a sign alerting people that there is a police substation on the premises may make shoppers feel a little more secure.”We’ll be able to write up reports there and file them as well,” Annese added. “It will be like a real sub police station.”Annese said they are hoping the substation is up and running by mid-December.