Council Approves First Part of $4 Million Police, Fire Radio Upgrades

Watertown’s Police and Fire departments will be getting new portable radios as part of upgrades to the first responder radio system that has become unreliable. On Tuesday night, the Town Council approved borrowing $1.77 million to fund the first of two phases in the $4 million plan to upgrade the Townwide radio infrastructure. The second phase is planned to be completed next year. The system is used by the Police, Fire and Department of Public Works to communicate. The system also links Watertown’s first responders with police and fire departments in nearby communities, as well as regional fire and police organizations.

Man Acting Suspiciously Toward Girl Reported at Watertown Park

A mother called Watertown Police after a man appeared to be filming her young daughter and acting suspiciously at Fillippello Park. The incident occurred at about 11:50 a.m. on Jan. 7, and was reported shortly before 3 p.m. that day, according to Watertown Police Lt. James O’Connor. The woman said she was at the tot lot in the East End park with her 2-year-old daughter at the time. “While she was she there, she became aware of an adult male who appeared to be filming, FaceTiming or something else on his phone and she felt he was filming her child,” O’Connor said.

Man Robbed While Walking Down Street in Watertown

A Watertown man reported being robbed while walking down Pleasant Street in Watertown, and lost his cell phone. On Dec. 30 at 7:42 p.m. Watertown Police received a report of a man who had been robbed, according to Police Lt. James O’Connor. The man said he had been listening to music on his headphones as he walked down Pleasant Street. Another man approached him and asked if he “had any weed to smoke,” O’Connor said.

Police Log: Vehicles Broken Into, Small Fire at Business

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

None

Incidents

Watertown Police received one report of unemployment fraud for the week of Dec. 21-27. Dec. 21, 6:25 p.m.: An employee of a company on Pleasant Street was supposed to receive a Samsung Galaxy tablet, but did not get it.

Police Log: Bank ATM Damaged, Customer Threatens Store Clerk

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

None

Incidents

Watertown Police received 2 reports of unemployment fraud from Dec. 14-20. 

Dec. 14, 10:47 a.m.: Two men were caught on video at the Santander Bank damaging the ATM inside the bank. The pair was seen at about 2:13 a.m. on Dec.

Hundreds of Toys Collected by Mall for Watertown Police Gift Drive

Retired Watertown Police Officer Dave Collins and Patricia Stenson, the General Manager of the Watertown Mall, pictured with the gifts donated to the Whooley Foundation at the Watertown Mall. This December, the Watertown Mall collected gifts to donate to the Watertown Police Department’s Whooley Foundation, which makes sure no children in Watertown go without a Christmas present. The last day of gift collection was Dec. 21 and a total of 165 gifts were donated. Retired Watertown Police Officer Dave Collins, who helps run the Whooley Foundation, welcomed Patricia Stenson, the General Manager of the Watertown Mall, with the gifts collected at the Mall.