Schools

School Officials & Police Believe Bomb Threats on 4 Schools Are Linked to Recent Publicity of Middle School Hit List

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Watertown Middle School

School officials and Police believe the bomb threats on four Watertown schools on Tuesday were the result of recent publicity of an incident at Watertown Middle School in January when a student’s hit list was found. In a statement from the Watertown Schools and WPD, they said the schools are committed to “ensuring the safety and well-being of all of our students,” that “Watertown is a kind and caring community,” and they “stand together against these hateful actions.” The hit list was discovered in January, and Watertown School officials and Watertown Police determined that there was not threat. At the time, some parents expressed concern about their children’s safety and questioned the response by School officials. On Jan.

Schools

Security Measures Increased at Watertown Schools Following Bomb Threat

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Watertown Middle School (Courtesy of Watertown Public Schools)

Superintendent Dede Galdston announced that the Watertown Police and the School personnel increased security measures after an bomb threat was sent by email. Police and school officials do not believe the threat to be credible and the schools will remain open, she added in the statement sent to the community. See the full statement below:

Dear Watertown Public Schools Community, 

This letter is to inform you about a bomb threat that we just received. Our schools are committed to the safety and education of all our students at all times, every day. We also want to clearly communicate with parents about safety issues when they arise. The email with the threat contained erroneous information from an unknown source that led us, in conjunction with the Watertown Police Department, to determine that the threat was not credible. 

With the help of the police department and district personnel, we have added the following layers of safety to our school day:

There will be an increased police presence at schools today and in the coming day

Reviewing information from the email to determine its source

Our schools entrances are controlled, and there is no reason to believe that any device is in our schools

Out of an abundance of caution, we are conducting a perimeter sweep with canine support

The Watertown Police Department has collaborated with other local, state, and federal law enforcement partners to investigate the matter

All entrances and exits to our schools are being redundantly monitored

The police department is actively investigating the threat to determine its origin with the goal of determining the source of the threat.

Around Town

See Photos from the 2024 Dancing With the Watertown Stars

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Photo by Charlie BreitroseJen Nichoslon, who works at the Commander’s Mansion, and Kemar Bennett perform during the 2024 Dancing with the Watertown Stars. People packed the Friday night to see 10 Watertown stars kick up their heels on the Hellenic Cultural Center dance floor during the 2024 Dancing With the Watertown Stars. More than 400 people cheered on teachers, a police officer, an insurance salesman, a photographer, a cable news director, a principal and more during the event hosted by the Rotary Club of Watertown. Photo by Charlie BreitrosePhotographer Vail Fucci and Cameron Gabehart partnered up for Dancing With the Watertown Stars. The Stars for 2024 were: Stephanie Barker, a special educator at Watertown High School; Joel Giacobozzi, WHS Principal; Amy Kirsch, a special educator at Lowell School; Dan Hogan, Watertown Cable Access news director; Jen Nicholson, events coordinator at the Commander’s Mansion; Vail Fucci, photographer; Raul Mendez, Watertown Police Officer; Amy Donohue, School Committee member; Christian Dallas, agent at Dallas Insurance Agency; and Maryann Swift, benefits and payroll at Watertown Savings Bank.

Around Town

CPA Projects: Walker Pond, Pavilion & Historic House Repair Approved; Mount Auburn Cemetery Request Rejected

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Courtesy of the City of WatertownThe pavilion that will be built at Saltonstall Park. The City Council approved funding for an ecological study at Walker Pond, building a pavilion at Saltonstall Park, and to help repair Watertown’s oldest home. They rejected a proposal to restore a historic memorial at Mount Auburn Cemetery. The four projects were brought forward as recommendations from the Community Preservation Committee to be paid for using money from the Community Preservation Act funds. The dollars in the fund come from a local property tax surcharge and state matching funds, and can be used on historic preservation, open space/recreation, and affordable housing.

Police/Fire

Watertown Police Sting Nabs Nearly a Dozen Suspected Shoplifters

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More than a dozen Watertown Police officers blanketed Arsenal Yards and the Watertown Mall Wednesday afternoon. They blended in, wearing street clothes, so they could approach shoplifters without attracting attention and place them under arrest. The sting nabbed 11 people in about six hours. The Watertown Police Department worked with retailers, the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office, and the Suburban Middlesex County Drug Task Force, to catch as many shoplifters as possible, and to send a message to others, said Watertown Police Chief Justin Hanrahan. “During the operation, undercover officers and loss prevention personnel from Target, Best Buy, Nike, Home Depot, and Ulta were strategically deployed across various retail establishments identified as high-risk locations for shoplifting.

Police/Fire

Firefighters Extinguish 2 Alarm Fire in East End, the 2nd Blaze of the Day

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Courtesy of Watertown Fire DepartmentFirefighters put out a two-alarm fire at a home on Melendy Avenue. A two-alarm fire damages a two-family home in East Watertown on Wednesday afternoon. The Watertown Fire Department received call for a smoke in a house on Melendy Avenue at 1:20 p.m. on April 24, said Watertown Fire Chief Ryan Nicholson. “Upon arrival companies found smoke showing from several windows from one of the units in a side by side two family. The residents of the involved unit were not home at the time,” Nicholson said.

Around Town

State Rep. Lawn Honored by Groups Advocating for the Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities Community

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Courtesy PhotoLeo Sarkissian, Executive Director of the Arc of Massachusetts, presenting State Rep. John J. Lawn, Jr. (D-Watertown) with a hand drawn award from a self-advocate within the organization at a ceremony held at the Massachusetts State House. The following announcement was provided by State Rep. John Lawn’s office:

State Rep. John J. Lawn, Jr. (D – Watertown) was named the Legislator of the Year Award by The Arc of Massachusetts (the Arc) and Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council (MDDC). The award, presented during their annual reception marking the commencement of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Month, celebrates Rep. Lawn’s unwavering commitment to and advocacy for the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) community. The ceremony was held on March 6 in the Great Hall of Flags at the Massachusetts State House. “We are honored to recognize Rep. John Lawn as this year’s Legislator of the Year Award recipient,” said Leo V. Sarkissian, Executive Director of the Arc of Massachusetts.

Police/Fire

Police Log: Shoplifter Caught with Items from Multiple Stores, Electric Bike Stolen

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department. April 12, 12:30 p.m.: A woman was seen rolling a shopping cart through Carter’s and filled it with children’s clothing before leaving without paying. The woman’s identity was determined, and the 33-year-old Boston woman was summoned to Waltham District Court on a charge of larceny under $1,200. April 12: A resident received a call from someone claiming to be a representative of National Grid, and told the resident that she owed $900 and if she did not pay her electricity would be shut off. The person told the resident to buy three $300 gift cards from either Target or Walmart.