PHOTO BY PAULA MULLER
Gov. Charlie Baker chats with Annabelle LeClair and Marie Frondulo in Revere on Tuesday.
BY LEAH DEARBORN
REVERE — Any tension was holstered during the National Night Out celebration at the West Revere School Complex on Tuesday.
Gov. Charlie Baker and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito took part in the event, part of a nationwide series of observations designed to improve relationships between the public and law enforcement.
National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that has taken place on the first Tuesday of August since 1984.
Baker spoke briefly at the event following an introduction by Revere Mayor Brian M. Arrigo, thanking local law enforcement for their dedicated service.
When asked after the speech about what the state is doing to improve public perception of police, Baker said excellent training and a high standard of education makes the Bay State’s law enforcement stand out.
Baker also said that he thinks community policing has made a difference because it provides an opportunity for peaceful interactions between civilians and police without hostility.
The U.S. Department of Justice defines community policing as a collaboration between the police and the community that identifies and solves community problems.
“The most important thing is that people have the opportunity to see each other as people,” said Baker.
A number of local law enforcement groups were present in booths at the event to speak with the public about their services and civilian involvement.
“It’s a way for us to reach out,” said Carmen Gomez, a probation officer from Chelsea District Court. “They usually only see us on the other side of the probation desk. This lets people know that we really serve the community.”
Gerard Salvati, a Revere police officer, handed out coloring books, crayons and whistles to families who attended the event. He said the public should always have access to the police and every community’s needs are different.
The event was also popular with youth, who were given balloons and hot dogs and allowed a glimpse into the day-to-day jobs of police.
When asked what she learned during the afternoon, 11-year-old Revere resident Kamryn DiSisto said, “Cops are cool and they do a lot for Revere.”