EVERETT, Mass. — Some Everett police officers say they are concerned about their health after a 40-year-old air conditioner broke at the police station.
Officers have been forced to work in harsh conditions, some of them even getting sick, the police union president told Boston 25 News.
And it's happened as the Everett Police Department is busier than ever, with the new Encore Boston casino open, which is forcing officers, civilians and staff to work even harder.
"We are 24/7, these folks signed up for this profession. We are public safety, we work in all kids of different environments," said Everett Police Chief Steven Mazzi.
Mazzi says the air conditioning in the building went out in July. It has been uncomfortable during these heat waves.
Boston 25 News got access to see the HVAC system.
"It's like anything, you know a fuse might break, it wasn't as if it was gushing water. There was no system until this year that it was failing," said George Lane, facility director.
A five-page letter from members of the Local 94 police union says in part:
"The solution to the air conditioning issue that the city has attempted is the equivalent of putting a Band-Aid on a bullet hole."
Pictures of that so-called Band-Aid show temporary air conditioning units that are placed throughout the building. The letter went on to say:
"Over the last couple of weeks, we have had some of our membership and civilian personnel become ill at work after being in the building for an extended period of time."
"I had several officers complaining about scratchy throats, some bloody noses, some respiratory issues, very concerning to us," said Everett police detective Bobby Hall.
Boston 25 News brought those concerns to the Everett Mayor's office, who told us they are responding.
"As soon as it did fail, the mayor declared an emergency, and took immediate action," said Kevin O’Donnell, chief of staff for the Everett Mayor's office.
But officers told Boston 25 news that there are more problems, from broken toilets to the ceilings falling apart, that they hope will be fixed, so they can continue to protect and serve the City of Everett in good health.
The mayor’s office told Boston 25 News that they've freed up $250,000 to get air conditioning units.
Off camera, officers told us this temporary fix is yet another Band Aid.
They are hoping city officials will do more for them, perhaps even place them in another building.
The president of the police union and the mayor’s office told us, they want to make it clear, they are working hand-in-hand to come up with a permanent solution.
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