Revere’s Guinasso outlines his priorities

REVERE – Ward 3 councilor Arthur Guinasso says his ward is a beautiful place to live and is optimistic that with new leadership in the Police Department the crime problem in his neighborhood will abate.A few months ago, Guinasso requested that then Revere police chief Terrence Reardon appear before the council to discuss crime on Revere Street and about gang members from New York living on the street.”(Reardon) said he knew where they were,” he said. “However, why weren’t we made aware of this? Don’t we have the right to know?”Around the same time, a spree of breaking and entering in cars was happening.”That never used to happen. I would always leave my car unlocked for the longest time,” Guinasso said.A gang member who was living above the D.A.M. Dart Depot on Revere Street was arrested and a gang member who was living across from Billy Tse Restaurant on Revere Street was also arrested when a police officer on detail noticed suspicious behavior.”This is why I am in favor of police detail,” Guinasso said.The ward councilor believes new Mayor Dan Rizzo will help solve the crime problem.”I think he will be addressing the police issue very soon,” he said.The Police Department has been extremely understaffed, Guinasso said, but recently hired two new officers.”I’d rather hire police officers than teachers,” Guinasso said. “If we are not safe we can’t send our children to school then we don’t need school teachers.”Last week, longtime police chief Terrence Reardon stepped down and Joseph A. Cafarelli was named acting police chief, while the search for Reardon’s permanent replacement could last between four and six months, according to Rizzo.Guinasso is also concerned about double poling, which he said is high on his list of priorities. He noted that on his own small street, Martin Street, there are eight double poles.”Eight double poles? Is that really necessary?” Guinasso asked rhetorically.Side streets that have little to no sidewalks are also a worry for the councilor. Guinasso, who lives on Martin Street, paid for his own sidewalk last year.”I got so tired of fighting for it. It was the best money I’ve ever spent,” he said. “It makes it a lot safer for my family and community.””Pierce Street definitely needs a sidewalk,” Guinasso added.The Paul Revere School, which opened two years ago, is something he is proud of, he said, adding that in the school it replaced, “kids would have to wear mittens (inside) because it was just so cold.””They do a great job there,” he said. “Many students whose first language isn’t English go there and they do a great job with them and helping them overcome their challenges.”There is some land in back of the school that Guinasso would like see put to use. He envisions a tennis court.”It would be a great introduction to the sport,” he said. “With the average income people make here, I think it would be great. It doesn’t cost much. You just need a racket and a tennis ball.”Sara Brown can be reached at [email protected].