Police/Fire

Police Looking to ID Suspect Seen Looking into Watertown Home

By |

The young man suspected of peering into the backdoor of a Watertown home. He was chased by the homeowners, whom he threatened. Watertown Police seek a suspect who was spotted looking into the back door of a home on Edward Road, and was chased to a nearby store. On July 18, 2019 at about 3:30 p.m., a resident pulled into his driveway and saw a young man standing at his backdoor. The resident yelled at the suspect, who jumped about 6 feet off the back step.

Around Town

Residents Can Apply to be in Watertown Citizens Police Academy

By |

Once again this year, the Watertown Police Department will host the Citizen Police Academy, and residents are invited to register. The 2019 Citizen Police Academy will begin on Wednesday, Sept. 18, and will run one night a week for 10 weeks from 6:30-9:30 p.m. Applications must be received by Sept. 13, 2019. Watertown Police Chief Michael Lawn sent out the following letter:

As the Watertown Police Department advances its community policing efforts, it is important to have citizen-police interaction and cooperation.

Police/Fire

Tree Falls on Major Watertown Roadway, Impacts Bus

By |

Bus service on the MBTA’s 73 route was impacted Sunday after a tree fell on Belmont Street in Watertown. A tree fell across a major road in Watertown Sunday afternoon, impacting MBTA bus service in Watertown. The tree fell on Belmont Street near Prentiss Street, according to an Instagram post from the Watertown Fire Department. It struck wires used by the MBTA’s 73 bus. View this post on Instagram Early this afternoon a large tree fell across Belmont Street at Prentiss Street.

Arrests

Police Log: Fired Employee Pulls Knife, Man Caught Using Fake Handicap Placard

By |

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

July 11, 7:26 p.m.: An officer patrolling on Arsenal Street near School Street spotted a motorcycle rider run a red light. Police pulled the motorcycle over and discovered the rider had a warrant for his arrest. The 26-year-old Waltham man was arrested on the warrant from Woburn District Court for driving with a suspended license and an equipment violation. July 11, 10:43 p.m.: Home Depot fired an employee who they found was stealing.

Fire Department

Powerful Thunderstorm Floods School & Streets, Knocks Down Tree in Watertown

By |

A thunderstorm that hit Watertown Wednesday afternoon caused flooding and other damage. A strong thunderstorm caused chaos which rolled through Watertown late Wednesday afternoon, flooding part of a school, streets and knocking over a tree. The storm cell hit Watertown at about 5:30 p.m. and with several lightning bolts in the area and dumping heavy rain on town, causing flooding in some areas. Flooding was reported around Watertown, including causing water to come into the gymnasium at Cunniff Elementary School on the Westside of town. Street flooding was reported nearby on Warren at Chapman Street, where as much as a foot of water was reported by first responders on the scene, according to scanner reports.

Police/Fire

Watertown Youths Learn What It’s Like to be a Firefighter

By |

A cadet in the Middlesex Youth Public Safety Academy uses the fire hose as at Saltonstall Park. Holding tightly to a real fire hose, a young camper from the Middlesex Sheriff’s Youth Public Safety Academy shot a wide stream of water hundreds of feet across the field at Saltonstall Park on Wednesday morning. The Watertown Fire Department welcomed 31 youngsters from town to show them what it is like to be a firefighter. The campers are part of the week-long summer camp, and later in the day they stopped by the Watertown Police Station to learn about what police officers do. Watertown Fire Capt. Bob Power helps a camper use a fire hose.

Police Log

Police Log: Stolen Minivan Found in Town, Man Caught Trying to Scheme Home Depot

By |

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

July 1, 1:16 a.m.: An officer in Watertown Square saw a man who appeared to be sleeping in the ATM vestibule at Santander Bank in Watertown Square. The officer woke the man and spoke to him. It was discovered that the man had a warrant for his arrest. The 61-year-old homeless man was arrested on the default warrant from Waltham District court for failure to pay court fines and costs.

Police/Fire

Watertown Helps Collect More than 100 Guns in Sheriff’s Buyback Program

By |

Some of the weapons collected in Watertown and Belmont in the MIddlesex Sheriff’s gun buyback in June. The following information was provided by the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office:

One hundred twenty unwanted guns and ammunition were exchanged for gift cards to local stores and restaurants over four Saturdays of the “Safer Homes, Safer Communities” Eastern Middlesex County Regional Gun Buyback initiative, officials announced. The initiative – held June 8-29 – was a collaborative effort of the Arlington, Belmont, Cambridge, Newton and Watertown police departments, in conjunction with the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office as well as faith- and community-based partners. This was the second regional buyback held in Middlesex County since 2016, with a total of 270 weapons exchanged for gift cards during the two regional initiatives. “I want to thank all our partners for their leadership in this area, and allowing us to continue to support these important community-based efforts,” said Middlesex Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian. “Offering residents these opportunities to safely remove unwanted and unsecured guns reduces the chances of theft or accidental discharge, making our homes and our communities safer.”

Included among the 120 guns accepted on the days of the events was a loaded .22-caliber pistol in Newton. The individual disposing of the gun was unaware that it was loaded.