Government

Conversation Begins About Current Watertown Police Services & Proposed Reforms, New Programs

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Watertown Police Station

During a wide ranging meeting about policing in Watertown, the Watertown Police discussed what they do including community police efforts and training, resident groups brought up concerns and proposed new initiatives and reallocation of part of the Police budget, and there was much discussion about statistics. The Town Council’s Public Safety Committee met Friday afternoon. Town Council President Mark Sideris made the referral to have the meeting after hearing from resident groups who were concerned following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis last spring. During Friday’s meeting, Watertown Police Chief Michael Lawn gave an overview of what the Watertown Police Department does during the year, including statistics, community programs they participate in, and trainings provided to officers. He also discussed the upcoming changes the department will have to make as a result of the passage of the State’s Police Reform Law.

Arrests

Police Log: Employee Steals Copper Fittings, String of Car Break-Ins

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

March 5:36 p.m.: An officer on patrolling on Main Street spotted a man going into the Dunkin’ Donuts who was known to be wanted on an arrest warrant. As the suspect came out, the officer told him about the warrant and placed him under arrest. The 19-year old Watertown man was arrested on the warrant from Waltham District Court for assault and battery. 

Incidents

March 1, 2:14 p.m.: An employee at Jomar Distributors on Pleasant Street was suspected of stealing merchandise. Police were contacted by an employee who spotted the suspect on security video taking a full box of copper fittings and copper coils from the stock room, put them in a box and cover the items with a sweatshirt.

Police/Fire

See Photos from the 2 Rallies Near the Watertown Police Station

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The sun sets as crowds disperse after the two rallies Thursday in front of the Watertown Police Station. Hundreds of supporters from two groups gathered on either side of Main Street in dueling rallies in front of the Watertown Police Station on Thursday afternoon. The pro-police supporters outnumbered those supporting the teacher who showed the controversial video at Watertown Middle School. Supporters of the Watertown Police waved flags and held signs on Thursday afternoon. Many came to support the Watertown Police, in a “Back the Blue” rally following the showing an anti-police video at Watertown Middle School.

Police/Fire

School Committee Statement: Supports Anti-Racist Work & Watertown Police

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The following piece was provided by the Watertown School Committee:

The Watertown School Committee is committed to becoming an anti-racist school system by acknowledging the structural and institutional racism that is pervasive throughout this nation and its many institutions, and also consistently working to present that reality and incorporate those lessons into the Watertown Public Schools’ curriculum. We also support the Watertown Police Department and acknowledge their work with our schools to create transparent and safe community relations between the Police Department and the WPS. These two statements are not at odds with one another, despite the growing public divide: We can both support the important work of the Watertown Police Department and condemn long standing institutional and systemic racism. Recently our community has been challenged and hurt by an incident at Watertown Middle School involving a video played to a group of students. Instead of fostering open discussion in the classroom, this video sparked divisions in our community, particularly around policing and, by extension, the Watertown Police Department.

Government

Watertown Group to Present Police Reform Initiatives to Public Safety Committee Friday

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Watertown’s Town Hall. The following announcement was provided by Watertown Joint Police Reform Group:

The Joint Police Reform Group encourages community members to attend the upcoming meeting of the Town Council Public Safety Committee this Friday, March 12, from 4-6 pm. The official notice and Zoom link for the meeting are here. The Zoom link is https://watertown-ma.zoom.us/j/96451613926. Please join the meeting to learn about our 10 proposed initiatives and share their own concerns about Public Safety. 

Around Town

LETTER: Watertown Group’s Letter to Superintendent, Supports Middle School Teacher

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An Open Letter to the Superintendent of Watertown Public Schools, Dr. Galdston,

We are writing to express our strong support for a Watertown Middle School teacher who is under attack. She is a courageous and principled teacher who has sought to constructively challenge herself, her community, her colleagues, and her students to face the realities of race in America. She has done this in part by becoming an advanced Kingian practitioner. Many like to quote the more comfortable sections of King’s “I Have a Dream” speech, but King’s “Letter from a Birmingham Jail” is often a more relevant touchstone. It is a challenging call to courageous action, and we believe that this teacher epitomizes its spirit.

Around Town

LETTER: Resident Supports Teacher, Cites Work Spreading MLK’s Nonviolence Principles

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To the Editor:

I am deeply distressed to see that the anti-racist work of Ruth Henry, Watertown Middle School teacher, has become the object of so much criticism, misinterpretation, and misunderstanding. For so many of us, Ruth has been a community icon and mentor, representing the highest standards of respect, clarity, and courage in her teachings and activist practices. Ruth’s commitment to anti-racist, anti-oppression work goes back many years. I became better acquainted with her passion for social justice when we worked together on the World in Watertown committee that planned and facilitated Dr. Bernard Lafayette’s visit to Watertown in 2016. Dr. Lafayette, one of our country’s foremost civil rights leaders, came to our community because of his close relationship with Ruth.

Government

LETTER: Councilor Discusses Upcoming Meetings Look at Police Services in Watertown

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The following statement was first read by Councilor Lisa Feltner at the March 9 Town Council meeting:

Watertown is very proud of its police department. The men and women who have served here, have served with distinction, and we appreciate overall their dedication to keeping us safe. They put their lives on the line for us every day. There are members of our community that have some concerns, which is understandable given all that has happened over the past year and in light of the pandemic, which has prompted questions about municipal and societal priorities across the country. The Town Council unanimously recommended the Public Safety Committee hold meetings to discuss current services and operations of our police department.