Police/Fire

Hands-Free Driving Law Goes into Effect Sunday Feb. 23

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Massachusetts drivers can face a fine of up to $500 for violating the hands-free law, beginning Sunday, Feb. 23, 2020. The law aims at preventing drivers from being distracted by their cellphones while driving. This includes not only texting while driving, but also talking on the phone while holding the cellphone or dialing manually. Driver’s cannot even hold a phone while driving, even if not using it, and can only touch it to put it into hands-free mode.

Mass. Fire Academy

Watertown Recruit Completes Mass. Firefighting Academy

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Watertown Firefighter George Black graduated from the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy. Watertown Firefighter George Black graduated from the Massachusetts Fire Academy 10 week training program, announced Fire Chief Bob Quinn. “He will return to the firehouse (this) week to serve the citizens of Watertown,” Quinn said. “We are very excited to have him back.” The following announcement was provided by the State Fire Marshal’s Office:

State Fire Marshal Peter J. Ostroskey and Massachusetts Firefighting Academy Deputy Director Joseph C. Klucznik announced the graduation of the 280 th class of the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy’s fifty-day Career Recruit Firefighter Training Program on February 14, 2020.

Arrests

Police Log: Car Stop Yields Two Arrests, Vandal Hits Multiple Cars

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

Feb. 3, 9:14 a.m.: Police spotted a driver who they knew was wanted on a warrant and pulled her over at the intersection of Robert Ford Road and Philip Darch Road. There was another woman in the car, and when police checked her record they found that she was also wanted on a warrant. The driver, a 43-year-old Watertown woman, was arrested on the warrant from Waltham District Court for possession of a Class B drug and assault and battery on a police officer, and was cited for having an expired inspection sticker.

Police/Fire

Police Nab Man Who Broke into Home in Watertown

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Watertown Police took custody of a man wanted for breaking into a home in East Watertown on Feb. 6, but still seek a second suspect. Two men broke down the back door of a three-family home on Dexter Avenue, and took an estimated $5,000 in items from one of the units, said Watertown Police Lt. James O’Connor. “They were interrupted when the upstairs neighbor came home,” O’Connor said. “They fled through the backdoor.”

Animal Control

Animal Control Investigating Dead Cat Found in Bag in Charles River

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The Charles River near Watertown Square. A resident walking along the Charles River in Watertown spotted a trash bag with a dead cat inside, Watertown’s Animal Control Officer reported. The bag was discovered on Thursday, Jan. 30, but someone walking on the California Street side of the river. The bag was weighed down by a rock, according to Karen O’Reilly, Watertown’s Animal Control Officer.

Arrests

Police Log: Men Use Counterfeit $20s, Pickup Catches Fire

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

Jan. 27, 3 a.m.: Police received a call from a motorist who followed another driver from Soldiers Field Road in Brighton into Watertown after observing him driving erratically. When he stopped at a red light, the driver appeared to fall asleep, and the vehicle appeared to have a flat tire. Police located the vehicle in Watertown Square and pulled the driver over on Pleasant Street.

Pleasant Street

Watertown Police Investigating Shooting Near Pleasant Street

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One man suffered a gunshot wound to the leg after a fight broke out near Pleasant Street on Tuesday night. The 21-year-old Waltham man who was shot is expected to live. The incident took place not far from the Bank of America ATM kiosk on Pleasant Street. Police continued to try to get to the bottom of what happened and could be seen looking for evidence on Wednesday. Police have not identified any suspects, yet, according to Watertown Police Lt. James O’Connor.

Police/Fire

Watertown Deputy Fire Chief Graduates from Management Training Program

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Watertown Deputy Fire Chief Ryan Nicholson, second from left, at the graduation of the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy’s Chief Fire Officer Management Training Program. Watertown Deputy Fire Chief Ryan Nicholson recently graduated Massachusetts Firefighting Academy’s Chief Fire Officer Management Training Program. Attendees of the 14-week program learned about the management fire departments not related to fire-suppression. As part of the course, Nicholson had to write a research paper that identified a problem or challenge facing the Watertown Fire Department in which he proposed a solution. He then had to present the proposal to be considered by a panel of municipal officials.