Watertown News (https://www.watertownmanews.com/category/policefire/)
A pole struck by a vehicle lies on top of power lines on Main Street. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)
A vehicle struck a utility pole on Main Street, snapping it in half and cutting off power for several hundred customers on Monday around noon. The utility pole sits at the corner of Main Street and Pilgrim Road. The top half of the pole fell on top of nearby wires. “It’s an ongoing issue,” said Watertown Police Lt. Kevin McManus.
The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department. May 20: Loss prevention at Target spotted a man who they recognized from previous incidents. Police were called and arrived as the suspect left the store. He said he was told by an unidentified friend to walk out with merchandise, and that he thought the items were paid for. The suspect did not have the items with him, but officers were able to locate $309 worth of merchandise behind a wall at the Residence Inn by Marriott.
Middlesex Sheriff’s OfficeCadets from Watertown graduated from the MIddlesex Sheriff’s Office’s Youth Public Safety Academy. Registration for the 2026 Youth Public Safety Academy (YPSA) opened on Monday, June 1, 2026 at 9 a.m., Middlesex Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian announced. Watertown’s week is July 20-24. YPSA is open to children ages 8-12 living in any of Middlesex County’s 54 cities and towns. Individuals ages 13-15 may register as a Counselor in Training. “I am so excited to once again offer this exceptional and low-cost summer program,” said Sheriff Koutoujian.
Perkins School for the BlindThe Howe Building at Perkins School for the Blind. Police responded to an online threat directed at Perkins School for the Blind on Thursday, May 21. The Watertown Police sent out a statement about the incident. Read it below. This morning , The Watertown Police Department became aware of a past threat involving Perkins School.
The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department. May 11: Toyota of Watertown reported a check fraud case. The dealership had written a check for $20,491 to Sullivan Tire on May 5, and sometime between then and May 8 the check was intercepted and the “pay to” line was changed. Police are investigating. May 11: Target security stopped a man and a woman who took $210 in clothing and health and beauty items. The two were summoned to Waltham District Court on a charge of larceny under $1,200.
The gate to the Catholic Mount Auburn Cemetery was blocked by police tape Friday as law enforcement investigated an incident (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)
An incident that drew dozens of police from multiple agencies was “not criminal in nature,” according to the Middlesex District Attorney’s office. Watertown News contacted Watertown Police and Massachusetts State Police after residents reported seeing police activity in the area of the Catholic Mount Auburn Cemetery on Friday. Neighbors also said they heard what might have been a gunshot or gunshots. Inquiries to law enforcement agencies were referred to the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office. Spokeswoman Meghan Kelly did not provide details, but said: “The incident was not criminal in nature, there is no foul play suspected and no public safety risk.”
A drone will likely be the latest high-tech addition to the Watertown Police Department, but the City Council had questions about where data collected will be stored and who will have access. Watertown Police Chief Justin Hanrahan described the budget request during the May 6 Fiscal Year 2027 budget hearing. He also talked about staffing and a new AI program that will be used by WPD officers. The drone, which costs $49,396, would be dispatched to an area where a crime or incident like an auto accident is reported, Hanrahan said. “You can get to pretty much anywhere in the City in two minutes, and it’ll give us real time live feed of what’s taking place,” Hanrahan said.
The following information came from the Watertown Police Department:
The Watertown Police Department is offering the R.A.D. (Rape Aggression Defense) Women’s Self-Defense Program from June 8-11, 2026, at 5:30-8:30 p.m.
This program is open to women ages 18 and older and includes hands-on self-defense training focused on risk awareness, prevention, and realistic physical defense techniques. Participants will learn practical tactics and concepts designed to build confidence and personal safety awareness. Registration is now open! To register, call 617-600-1306 or email WPDtraining@police.watertown-ma.gov
The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department. April 28: A resident was trying to get a loan from an online lender. He had received loans from the company before, but this time was rejected. Soon he received offers from other companies. He attempted to borrow $790 and was asked to provide online banking information and the login credentials.