Stirring discussion at Revere police coffee hour

REVERE – Civilians and eight uniformed officers enjoyed meeting each other at The Bagel Bin during “Coffee with a Cop” Monday morning.The purpose was for civilians to express concerns with police in a more comfortable setting – and vice versa.?The public may or may not want to call the police department about problems that come up, but hopefully we worked out a resolution today,” Chief Joseph Cafarelli said. “It?s important that they see our faces, and that we?re also part of the community. We?re not a nameless, faceless entity that is the police department.”Cafarelli said the goal is to alleviate possible social tensions between police and the community.?People approach us at crime watch meetings and say, ?I hate to bother you,? but we never discourage anyone from calling,” Cafarelli said. “I?m the face of the police department, but our officers are the nuts and bolts.”Citizens voiced their concerns to Cafarelli regarding safety in the parks and youth violence.Jan Dumas, 55, voiced her concern asking for more patrol around the property in the face of concerns about heroin and other drug use, as well as homeless people trespassing and loitering, both in the lobby.?I also suggested for the department to host these types of things in the afternoon and evening so that people who work then can attend,” Dumas said. “And more of a police presence, especially signage, for Russian, Arabic and Spanish-speaking communities. If we only have English-speaking signage, we ignore a huge population in this area.”Dumas said the forum allows for the officers to put a face to her name.?If I have to call for some reason, they?ll know who it is,” Dumas said. “It?s nice to have a chance to meet them, because usually our only interaction with police is driving by or if you call them for a problem.”Skip Giovanni, 85, expressed concern regarding crime on the Blue Line, especially past the Boston stops.?We should talk to the police more, really,” Giovanni said. “You only read about it when something bad happens in Revere, but there?s more good than bad.”Susan Folti, 66, told police that neighboring youth in Chelsea and East Boston are stirring up trouble for Revere teenagers. She suggested police host a similar event for teenagers at Costa Park. But, like Giovanni, she hasn?t met them yet.?A lot of policemen have retired, and there?s a new crew,” Folti said. “I want to know who they are and how they feel about the neighborhood.”Lt. Amy O?Hara said approximately 20 new police officers were hired within the last five years.Residents shared identity theft stories and community policing ideas with her.?As we go by sectors in the city, we try to get out of our cruisers and build a prior relationship with people in the community, whether by picking up a basketball in the courtyard or just introduce ourselves, letting people know we work in the area,” O?Hara said.O?Hara said reaching out to citizens in non-enforcement roles means that in a violent situation, those same people are more apt to cooperate since there?s a connection. And that?s the connection for “Coffee with a Cop,” too.Borrowed from the Department of Justice, the program isn?t unique to Revere. O?Hara said there was a “Coffee with a Cop” in February at McDonald?s on Squire Road in West Revere, but police wanted to reach out to those living in East Revere.Annette Gold, who has lived in the area for 57 years, said she decided to lengthen her breakfast time as a result of the event. Gold expressed concern regarding tenants and landlords.?I just came here for breakfast, but I decided to stay longer to introduce myself to the police officers,” Gold said. “I was street sweeping, and Lt. O?Hara remembered me from 20 years ago when she was doing patrol.”Patrol Officer Devon Surian said the mutual environment was the main focus of the event.?Some people may find us intimidating or outnumbered in traffic, and they don?t want to approach us,” Surian said. “But now people associate good coffee, good food an