Police/Fire

Watertown Residents Graduate from Sheriff’s Youth Public Safety Academy

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Middlesex Sheriff’s OfficeMiddlesex Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian (back row center), Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan, Governor’s Councillor Marilyn Petitto Devaney, Belmont Police Chief James MacIsaac, Watertown Police Chief Thomas Rocca and members of the Belmont and Watertown Police Departments were in attendance Friday, July 22, 2022 to recognize graduates of the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office Youth Public Safety Academy (YPSA) from the communities of Belmont and Watertown. The following information was provided by the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office:

Middlesex Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian congratulated 72 graduates of the Youth Public Safety Academy’s (YPSA) second session of 2022 during a ceremony at Chelmsford High School on Friday, July 22. The cadets were primarily from the communities of Belmont, Framingham, Hudson, Marlborough, Medford, Natick and Watertown. YPSA was first established by the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office in 1999, and focuses on sharing important public safety lessons on issues like internet safety, fire preparedness and prevention, water safety skills and more. The academy is open to youngsters ages 8-12 from across Middlesex County, as well as older cadets who may participate through the YPSA’s Counselor-in-Training (CIT) Program. “After two years of remote programming, we are proud to welcome cadets, their families and our community partners back to YPSA,” said Sheriff Koutoujian.

Police/Fire

Fire on Gore Place Property Doused by Watertown Firefighters

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ContributedFlames from a blaze on the Gore Estate can be seen from the back of a home on Edward Road. Watertown firefighters doused a blaze on the property of Gore Place which the Fire Department believes was started by illegal fireworks. On Saturday, July 23 at about 10:30 p.m. the Watertown Fire Department received a report of a fire on the Gore Estate property. The fire occurred near homes on Edward Road, according to Acting Fire Chief Ryan Nicholson. “We believe it was caused by fireworks, due to some remnants, but it is difficult to determine because illegal fireworks are set off frequently in that area,” Nicholson said.

Arrests

Police Log: Juveniles Hit Golf Balls a Car, Details of Home Break-ins

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

July 14: Watertown Police identified a pair who had shoplifted at Best Buy on March 16. A man and woman arrived in a car and went into a store. They took an HP All-in-One computer valued at $1,260. Using surveillance police were able to see the two get into a vehicle and leave.

Police/Fire

Five Watertown Fire Department Promotions, New Position Filled

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The City of Watertown provided the following information:

The Provisional Chief of Department is pleased to announce that Acting City Manager Thomas Tracy has made the following promotions effective Sunday, July 17, 2022:

Promotions

Lieutenant Ralph Mele to Permanent Fire CaptainFirefighter Brendan Malloy to Permanent Fire LieutenantCaptain Brian Donovan to Temporary Deputy Fire ChiefLieutenant Paul LaFauci to Temporary Fire CaptainFirefighter Jason Capello to Temporary Fire Lieutenant

Deputy Fire Chief Arthur Geswell Jr. has been selected as Interim Assistant Fire Chief. Please join us in wishing these newly promoted Fire Officers continued success in their new positions. Lab Safety Officer

We are pleased to announce a new position of Lab Safety Officer, and introduce Captain Ralph Mele, the first to hold the position. The Lab Safety Officer is responsible for lab inspections, code enforcement, and registration. He will work to ensure the safety of lab employees, emergency responders, and the general public.

Break-Ins

Police Warn Residents to Lock Windows After Pair of Break-ins

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Two Watertown homes were broken into recently, both while residents were home. The first break-in took place on July 15 at 9:49 p.m. on Garfield Street. About two hours later, at 11:48 p.m., a home on Barnard Avenue was broken into. Watertown Police seek information and surveillance footage from residents of those areas. Police also warn that residents should be sure to secure their homes, saying “Please be reminded to lock your doors & windows (even second floor).”

Arrests

Police Log: Deliver Man Caught Stealing Package, Home Ransacked

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

July 7, 1:36 a.m.: Police received a report of a person sleeping behind a shed at an apartment complex on Mt. Auburn Street. Officers encountered the man who said he had missed the bus to get home to Belmont. Police found he had two warrants: one from Malden District Court for driving under the influence of alcohol, and one from Salem District Court for defrauding a restaurant.

Outside Burning

See Watertown’s Open, Outside Burning Regulations

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Fire Department:

Please be aware of these OPEN/OUTSIDE BURNING REGULATIONS AND GUIDELINES IN WATERTOWN! The Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) and the Watertown Fire Department limit open burning for public health and safety reasons. Per MassDEP open burning is prohibited in 22 densely built and populated cities and towns. THE FOLLOWING ARE COMMUNITIES WHERE OPEN BURNING IS PROHIBITED AT ALL TIMES: Arlington, Belmont, Boston, Brookline, Cambridge, Chelsea, Chicopee, Everett, Fall River, Holyoke, Lawrence, Lowell, Malden, Medford, New Bedford, Newton, Somerville, Springfield, Waltham, Watertown, West Springfield, Worcester. Watertown is one of 22 communities in the Commonwealth in which open burning is NOT PERMITTED.

Homepage Featured

Two Alarm Fire Starts on Grill, Damages Back of Watertown Home

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A fire charred the back of a home on Waverley Avenue Wednesday afternoon and displaced three residents. A fire alarm was struck Wednesday afternoon for a home on Waverley Avenue. When firefighters arrived Deputy Fire Chief Tom McManus, the incident commander, ordered a second alarm. The fire reportedly started on a grill and extended to the house and spread rapidly up the rear of the home. Engine 3 arrived and was alerted to the blaze by one of the residents, said Acting Fire Chief Ryan Nicholson.