Police/Fire

Watertown Police Receive Stuffed Animals from Freemasons Lodge to Comfort Children

By |

The stuffed animals inside one of the bags provided by the Bethesda Lodge Masons to the Watertown Police to give out to children. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

Watertown Police officers will have a new tool in their cruisers, a bag full of stuffed animals to comfort youngster who have experienced a difficult situation. The six bags full of plush toys come via a donation from the Bethesda Freemasons Lodge, which represents Watertown. The program is known as Project Delta. Officer Michael Stewart said he knows that they will be a useful tool.

Police/Fire

Middlesex Sheriff’s Office Celebrates Youth Public Safety Academy Graduation

By |

Cadets from Watertown graduated from the Middlesex Sheriff’s Youth Public Safety Academy. (Courtesy of Middlesex Sheriff)

The following information was provided by the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office:

Middlesex Sheriff’s Office Youth Public Safety Academy cadets from Arlington/Cambridge, Belmont/Watertown, Burlington and Tyngsborough were recognized during a graduation ceremony held at Chelmsford High School on Friday, Aug. 4. Middlesex Special Sheriff Amoroso Cefalo was joined by Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan; Tyngsborough Town Manager Matthew Hanson; Watertown Police Chief Thomas Rocca and officials from all the communities to honor the graduates. Now in its 22nd year, YPSA is focused on providing cadets with educational lessons around personal and family safety and other health and wellness topics.

Police/Fire

Police Log: iPad Stolen from Athenahealth Worker, Pricey Golf Grips Taken from Porch

By |

The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department. Arrests

Aug. 8, 12:01 a.m.: Officers patrolling in Watertown Square queried the plates of a BMW and discovered the registration was suspended, and the owner’s license was suspended. The vehicle was pulled over and confirmed that the owner was driving. Joshua Rivers, 32, of Watertown was arrested for driving with a suspended license, driving an uninsured vehicle, and driving with a suspended registration.

Police/Fire

Watertown’s Fire Chief Thanks Family, Fellow Firefighters During Swearing-in Ceremony

By |

Watertown Fire Chief Ryan Nicholson was sworn in by City Clerk Janet Murphy. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

Watertown’s new Fire Chief had plenty of people to thank during his swearing-in ceremony, but Ryan Nicholson made sure not to be the sole focus of the event at the Commander’s Mansion on Tuesday afternoon. “I’m incredibly humble to be able to address this group today as the Watertown Fire Department’s eighth permanent fire chief,” he said Tuesday. “I am also excited to announce the promotion of five of our men, and celebrate the appointment of seven firefighters.” City Manager George Proakis has gotten to know Nicholson, having worked together since Proakis arrived in Watertown in August 2022.

Police/Fire

Police Log: Bust Recovers Over 100 Baggies of Drugs, Man Caught After Breaking Into Home & Car

By |

The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department. Arrests

July 25, 11:48 a.m.: Detectives from the Suburban Middlesex County Drug Task Force observed a man making a drug sale on Brookline Street. The man had been under investigation for a month. After the sale, police pulled the suspect’s vehicle over. They immediately noticed two tied off corner plastic bags with a white rock substance inside the vehicle.

Police/Fire

Police Log: Man Wanted on Drug Warrants Nabbed, Several Homes Egged

By |

The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Deparment. Arrests

July 18, 11:48 a.m.: An officer patrolling in Watertown Square spotted a vehicle running a red light going from North Beacon Street onto Galen Street. The driver was pulled over and police discovered he was wanted on drug charges. William Reynolds, 43, of Boston, was arrested on the warrant from Dorchester District Court for possession with intent to distribute a Class D drug, and possession to distribute a Class B drug. He was also cited for a red light violation. 

Incidents

July 17, 11:10 a.m.: A set of golf clubs was stolen out of a vehicle parked at an apartment building on Pleasant Street.

Government

City Manager Hears from Residents at Forum on Hiring Watertown’s Next Police Chief

By |

Residents had a long list of requests for the qualities and qualifications they would like Watertown’s next Police Chief to have, and new initiatives they would like the new head of the WPD to take on. Monday night, City Manager George Proakis held a community forum to discuss the hiring of the new Watertown Police Chief. He was joined by two members of the consultancy firm who will run the process of evaluating the candidates. Attendees brought up a variety of areas they would like to see the next chief take on, including changes in the department. Several wanted to see the Watertown Police be more transparent, and provide more data to the public, including arrests, traffic violations, and other incidents broken down by race, ethnicity and gender.