Saugus police substation officially opens

SAUGUS – Patrolman Thomas Gaeta has a new beat that is likely the only walking beat left in town and he doesn’t even have to go outside.The Police Department, Square One Mall and the security firm of Allied Barton have joined forces to operate a security/Police Department substation within the mall. The new station, located just outside Sears and next to Pretzel Time, officially opened Wednesday, though Gaeta has actually been in his new digs for two weeks.”It’s good,” he said of his new office. “I like being here.”According to Mall Manager Susan Yee, Gaeta will be on duty in the mall 40 hours per week and his position is being funded by the Square One Mall.Housed with a front desk, two offices and a back room, the small substation was designed so that mall security and the Police Department would have a space to handle shoplifters and other suspected criminals on site.Police Chief Domenic DiMella said that alone will prove invaluable to the department.”Before, we would have to take a cruiser out of service for over an hour,” he said. “Now, maybe 10 minutes. Tom can have the suspect all booked and processed right here and then just call for a cruiser to pick him up.”Gaeta’s small office is outfitted with two metal benches both armed with bars perfect for handcuffing suspects. DiMella also said Gaeta’s computer is networked back to the department so he has access to the same information he would have if he were operating from the Hamilton Street station.DiMella, along with Security Director Craig Vezina, said he also likes the visibility that the substation gives both groups within the mall.Vezina said prior to the station opening, security was tucked in an office on the second floor.”People know now when they walk in and see this that we’re here,” DiMella said, pointing to the substation sign.Yee called the mall “a safe place to visit,” but it has been plagued by numerous shoplifters and, in the past, some gang activity. DiMella is hoping a police presence will change that. Gaeta, he added, has already met with nearly all the loss prevention personnel and is getting to know everyone else.DiMella said he handpicked the 14-year veteran to head up the mall office primarily due to Gaeta’s work ethic and personalty. He said he thought Gaeta would be a great fit and “in fact, I have received several calls commending him and the opening of this substation already.”Given the tough financial situation of the town, DiMella said it is virtually impossible to move forward without some kind of partnership and he was grateful to Yee and Allied Barton for making the substation possible.Yee said Gaeta already reached out to “mall-walkers” – senior citizens and others who walk the mall for exercise – with a program called File for Life, which keeps important medical information handy for first responders. And during school vacation week in April he plans to offer a safety program where parents can stop by and have their children fingerprinted.Although he will now be, for the most part, separated from his colleagues, Gaeta said he isn’t worried about being lonely.”I still see the guys,” he said. “A lot have stopped by and I still work a shift once in while.”