Police/Fire

Police Log: Suspect Caught Sneaking Into Unoccupied Home, Co-Workers Get into Fight

By |

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

None

Incidents

July 28, 8:14 p.m.: A man from Waltham who works at a gas station on Mt. Auburn Street reported getting into a physical altercation with a co-worker. On July 23, he and another man got into an argument about getting in each other’s personal space. The man said he was pushed and fell, then the co-worker punched him in the face and chest.

Police/Fire

Police Log: Dog Scares Off Intruder, Lightning Suspected of Starting Small Fire

By |

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

July 20, 6:34 a.m.: The Probation Department alerted Watertown Police that a resident was wanted on a warrant for probation violation. Officers went to Nichols Avenue and placed the 40-year-old man under arrest on the probation warrant out of Waltham District Court. 

Incidents

July 20, 2:43 p.m.: Someone living in a home on Longfellow Road that was under construction heard someone walk inside and say “hello?” Then the person saw the family dog and said. “That’s a big dog,” and left.

Boston Marathon Bombing

Watertown Police Disheartened by Courts Overturning of Tsarnaev Sentence

By |

The day after a Federal Appeals Court overturned the death sentence for convicted Boston Marathon Bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, the Watertown Police Department released a statement saying its members are “disheartened” by the ruling. The Watertown Police statement reads:

“The members of the Watertown Police Department are disheartened by the decision of the United States Federal Appeals Court to overturn the death penalty sentence of the Boston Marathon bomber. His unconscionable acts of terrorism during the 2013 Boston Marathon and subsequent days, has forever altered the lives of so many. We continue to mourn the loss of thosewho died; our hearts are always with their families and the hundreds of survivors impacted by this tragic event. #watertownstrong #bostonstrong”

The First Circuit Court of Appeals overturned the sentence, and said that Judge George O’Toole didn’t do enough to make sure jurors were not tainted by pretrial publicity, according to a WBUR report.

Around Town

Watertown Group Using MLK’s Teachings to Address Racial Injustice, Bigotry

By |

People kneel in memory of George Floyd and others during a candlelight vigil in Watertown Square co-sponsored by the Kingian Response Team and the Watertown Police Department. Tuesday night, dozens of people gathered in Watertown Square holding lanterns and candles in a vigil for George Floyd and others, and to speak out against racism and bigotry. The event was one of the first efforts of the Kingian Nonviolence Response Team, which grew out of a program that has its roots in the Watertown Public Schools. The Kingian group has plans to work with the Watertown Police Department, the Watertown Public Schools and the Town Council to reduce what they see as systemic racism in these local institutions. And much of the effort is being led by current Watertown students who learned King’s teachings in the Kingian Nonviolence program at Watertown Middle School.

Police/Fire

Electrical Fire Damages Home on Putnam Street

By |

Watertown firefighters battled a blaze on Putnam Street on July 26. A fire that damaged a home on Putnam Street on July 26 was caused by a accidental electrical fire. The Watertown Fire Department responded to 115 Putnam St. on Sunday at 1:56 p.m. The fire was brought under control and the cause of the fire was determined to be a faulty bathroom exhaust fan, according to Watertown Fire Chief Bob Quinn. The fire caused approximately $20,000 of damage, most of which occurred in the first floor bathroom area, but some water and smoke damage was done to other areas of the first floor and the second floor.

Arrests

Police Log: Nearly $10K in Jewelry Stolen, Multiple Time Shoplifter Nabbed

By |

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

July 16, 2:37 p.m.: A man came to the Police Station because he heard he might be wanted on a warrant. Watertown Police confirmed he had an active warrant. The 33-year-old man from Warwick, R.I., was arrested on the warrant for violation of a harassment prevention order out of Waltham District Court. July 18, 12:12 p.m.: Security at Target spotted a man who they had observed shoplifting dozens of times from March to July 2020.

Around Town

Sheriff’s Office Offering Virtual Youth Public Safety Academy

By |

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

Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian is inviting Middlesex County families to participate in a series of live, virtual Youth Public Safety Academy (YPSA) events beginning July 29 at 10 a.m.

The virtual series will replace the annual in-person camp designed for youngsters ages 8-12 that was cancelled this year due to COVID-19. “YPSA is one of our most successful community programs,” said Sheriff Koutoujian.  “Each year, more than 1,000 youngsters participate alongside our staff and other public safety professionals from across Middlesex County.  Not only do participants learn value safety lessons, but they build relationships with the public safety professionals who work hard to keep them safe.  This virtual series will allow us to maintain and strengthen the important connections we strive to make with our county’s youngest residents.”

The live session will include videos and presentations on important public safety topics. Families wishing to register for the series can email YPSA@sdm.state.ma.us to learn more.

Around Town

Kingian Nonviolence Group, Watertown Police Sponsoring Vigil in Square

By |

Watertown Square will be the location for a vigil in memory of George Floyd co-sponsored by the Kingian Response Team and the Watertown Police Department. The following announcement was provided by the Kingian Response Team:

CANDLE LIGHT VIGIL TUESDAY, JULY 28TH 7:30-8:30 p.m.

The Kingian Response Team in collaboration with the Watertown Police Department is sponsoring a vigil which will include a Silent Reflection in memory of George Floyd and others who have lost their lives due to racial bigotry and injustice. The Silent Reflection will run from 8:15 p.m.– 8:23 p.m.

Locations:

1) Watertown Square, including the delta & along Main & Mt. Auburn St. Please bring your phone or flashlight instead of candles in public spaces.