Police/Fire

Police Log: Man Busted Stealing Champagne at Target, $1,200 Charged on Stolen Credit Cards

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

April 24, 5:53 p.m.: Target security reported a shoplifting where a man was seen taking three bottles of champagne. He took the bottles, worth a total of $230.99, and put them in his backpack, and left without paying. Police located him leaving the rear exit of the mall. When they checked his record officers found he had a warrant from Boston District Court for larceny over $1,200.

City Budget

FY23 City Budget Includes New Positions for Police, Fire & Library; Organic Waste & Pest Control Programs

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Watertown City Hall

Watertown’s Fiscal Year 2023 City Budget is projected to drop by more than $1 million from FY2022, but will add several positions, including for the Police, Fire Department, and the Watertown Library. The budget also includes new initiatives related to curb-side composting and rodent control. Acting City Manager Tom Tracy presented the $174.79 million Watertown City budget for Fiscal Year 2023 to the Council Tuesday night. The budget would be a reduction of $1.79 million from FY2022. The budget includes funding for the three elementary school projects, as well as the new Watertown High School project, Tracy said, which will be done within the normal operating budget and won’t need a temporary tax increase though a Proposition 2 1/2 override.

Police/Fire

Watertown Police Chief Michael Lawn Announces His Retirement

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Charlie BreitroseWatertown Police Chief Michael Lawn. Chief Michael Lawn will be retiring in early June after six years leading the Watertown Police Department and 32 years working for the WPD. On April 19, Lawn sent a letter to acting Town Manager Tom Tracy informing him of his decision to retire on June 3, 2022. “I started my career with the WPD on October 30, 1989. I have enjoyed my thirty-two plus years working for the WPD and serving the City of Watertown where I grew up,” the letter reads.

Around Town

Watertown Fire Department Names Provisional Fire Chief

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Watertown Fire DepartmentWatertown Assistant Fire Chief Ryan Nicholson. The City of Watertown announced that Assistant Fire Chief Ryan Nicholson will lead the Watertown Fire Department until the next Fire Chief is named. The City of Watertown sent out the following statement:

“Many congratulations to Assistant Chief Ryan Nicholson, who has been appointed to the position of Provisional Fire Chief, effective Sunday, May 1, 2022, until a Permanent Fire Chief is selected.” Watertown Fire Chief Bob Quinn announced he will be retiring at the end of April. Nicholson became the WFD’s first Assistant Fire Chief in September 2020.

Arrests

Police Log: Suspect Speeds Away from Police & Resists Arrest, Shoplifters Hit Multiple Stores

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

April 9, 5:43 p.m.: An officer in Coolidge Square spotted a vehicle illegally parked. When the officer ran the plate it showed the owner had a suspended license as well as a warrant for his arrest. The officer saw the driver and recognized him as the owner. When the officer turned the cruiser’s the lights on and tried to stop the man the suspect sped away, turned and headed east on Grove Street.

Around Town

Plaques Unveiled to Remember Five Firefighters Who Lost Their Lives Serving Watertown

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Charlie BreitroseThe memorial plaques for the five Watertown Firefighters who died in the line of duty are unveiled by Watertown firefighters Rob Mannix, left, and Paul LaFauci on April 13, 2022. David Morrill, far left, attended the ceremony on the 63rd anniversary of his father Charles’ death. Five Watertown Firefighters who lost their lives in the line of duty will have a permanent place at the Watertown Fire Headquarters. Each was memorialized with a plaque placed on the front of the building. The Watertown Fire Department unveiled the plaques to Willard Streeter, Gilbert Nichols, Ernest Ford, Charles Morrill and Joseph Toscano on Wednesday afternoon.

Arrest

Police Log: Shoplifter Chased Down in Allston, Check Taken from Mail and Altered

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

March 28, 11:12 a.m.: Home Depot security approached a Watertown detail officer to alert him to a shoplifter fleeing the store. The officer put out a description of the suspect, who was spotted on Arsenal Street near the bridge over the Charles River heading into Boston. The man did not stop when officers told him to do so. They chased him into Boston and stopped him on Western Avenue near the Watertown line.