A station tour for the city’s youngest residents, a coffee-loving officer, and a reminder about where to turn for mental health help: here is what the Chelsea Police Department shared with residents over the past two weeks, beyond its arrests and press releases.
A tour of the station with Sgt. Chung
Sergeant Chung led a group of young visitors, organized with the city’s Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department, on a tour of the police station, showing them around “the whole building, with plenty to explore along the way,” the department said. The tour ended with ice cream and swag bags for the “junior officers.”
Officer Arteaga’s coffee
For National Coffee Day on September 29, the department gave a shout-out to Chelsea’s coffee shops and to one of its own. Officer Arteaga “takes his coffee seriously, grinding and pressing his own beans and regularly making coffee for the crew at the station,” the department wrote, and his hobby has grown into a coffee brand, JAVÁRT. “Apparently protecting and serving around here sometimes includes serving coffee,” the department said.
Its list of Chelsea places to get a cup: Aloe Natural Açaí & Coffee Shop, Kushala Sip Lounge Café & Bar, Pan Y Café, Café El Dorado, Ay Puchika Que Panadería y Café, P’onde Juancho Bakery, Mornin’ Saigon, the Coffee Glo coffee cart, Market Basket’s café, Starbucks and the city’s Dunkin’ locations.
Mental health help, any time
On World Mental Health Day, October 10, the department reminded residents that “reaching out for help is a sign of strength,” and listed where to turn:
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: call or text 988 for free, confidential support, 24 hours a day, in English and Spanish, for yourself or someone you are worried about.
- Massachusetts Behavioral Health Help Line: call or text 833-773-2445, or chat at masshelpline.com, to find mental health or substance use services. It is free, available 24/7, requires no insurance, and offers interpretation in more than 200 languages.
- If someone is in immediate danger or having a medical emergency, call 911.
Also from the department
- Officer Joseph Barker-Santiago received a Certificate of Recognition. The department said he is the city’s only traffic officer, helps with Licensing Commission investigations and will become its comfort dog officer early next year. Our story on the October 5 swearing-in has more, along with the department’s four newest officers.
- The department’s Faith & Blue visits to local congregations continue on October 16. Our story.