Around Town

Retiring Police Officer Had a Big Presence in the Community & in the Police Department

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Officer Tony Physic on a visit to the Brigham House. Harold “Tony” Physic experienced a lot of lasts as a Watertown Police Officer recently: his last time judging the Dancing with the Stars earlier this month, the last time marching in the Memorial Day Parade on Monday, and on Wednesday his last roll call. After 34 years, Physic is retiring from the Watertown Police Department, having left his mark on his fellow police officers and the community that he served and protected. While he has patrolled many parts of town, for the last 15 years Physic was assigned to the dayshift patrol of the East End of town. “I’ve seen the community change and the people change,” Physic said, noting that the area used to be more of a family oriented neighborhood.

Police/Fire

Watertown Police Seek Man Who Stabbed Friend at Cookout

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David Holladay is wanted by Watertown Police for allegedly stabbing another man at a cookout on May 25. Watertown Police issued a warrant for a man who allegedly stabbed another man while at a cookout on May 25. The suspect, identified as 59-year-old David Holladay, was invited to the home of a 59-year-old longtime acquaintance on the evening of May 25. The two got into an argument over one of their family issues, and Halladay allegedly stabbed the other man in the left thigh with a knife, according to Watertown Police Lt. James O’Connor. The incident occurred on Elm Street near the corner of Munroe Avenue, and was witnessed by others in the area.

Police/Fire

Watertown Police, Middlesex Sheriff Hosting Gun Buyback Event

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Members of the Watertown Police, the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office and the State Police pose with the 50 weapons collected in the gun buyback in 2016. The Watertown Police Department provided the following information:

The Arlington, Cambridge, Newton and Watertown Police Departments, in conjunction with the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office, Belmont Police Department and local community and faith-based organizations will partner to host the “Safer Homes, Safer Communities” regional gun buyback initiative over four Saturdays next month (June 8-29), officials announced today. In 2016, a similar regional initiative – in which Arlington, Belmont, Cambridge and Watertown also participated – resulted in 150 unwanted firearms being turned in for destruction. “We are glad to once again be assisting our law enforcement and community partners in this effort,” said Middlesex Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian. “Providing residents the opportunity to safely, securely dispose of unwanted firearms makes our homes and our communities safer, by reducing the chance of accidental discharge, self-harm and theft.”

“The Watertown Police Department is happy to support the gun buyback program,” said Watertown Police Chief Michael Lawn.

Arrests

Police Log: Driver Busted for OUI, Numerous Vehicles Broken Into

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

April 17, 9:39 p.m.: An officer patrolling on Arsenal Street spotted a blue Jeep with a defective taillight. The vehicle also weaved around the lane. The vehicle was pulled over and the officer detected signs that the woman driving was under the influence of alcohol, including and odor of alcohol. Field sobriety tests were given and the officer determined the driver was under the influence of alcohol.

Government

Increases for Police, Fire, Schools Library & DPW Included in Watertown’s FY2020 Budget

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Watertown Town Manager Michael Driscoll revealed the Fiscal Year 2020 budget on Tuesday. Next year’s Watertown Budget includes money for an additional police office, a new leadership role in the Fire Department, and at the Library. Tuesday night, Town Manager Michael Driscoll presented the Fiscal Year 2020 budget to the Town Council. The total operating budget is $147.76 million, which is an increase of 3.89 percent or $5.53 million. When Driscoll presented the budget projection in October, there was a shortfall of about $800,000, but Tuesday he said the Town’s revenues came in close to $1.5 million above the projections.

Alcohol Compliance Checks

Watertown Police to Conduct Annual Alcohol Compliance Checks

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department:

The Watertown Police Department will be conducting annual Alcohol Compliance Checks of all licensed establishments beginning in May 2019 through April 2020. These compliance checks are conducted to ensure that all licensed establishments follow and comply with all rules and regulations pertaining to the safe service and sale of alcohol in our community. This notice is made in accordance with department alcohol compliance policy and with the recommendation of the ABCC (Alcohol Beverage Control Commission).

Arrests

Police Log: Valuable Coins Stolen, Man Faces Charges for Incident Involving “Gun”

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

March 25, 8:52 a.m.: Police received a call from the senior housing complex on Warren Street about items being taken from its community room and library. Missing were a cable box and remote, eight CDs, and some snacks. The suspect also attempted to break into a locked closet. Police reviewed the security footage and recognized the woman who took the items. An officer on patrol spotted the suspect on Main Street.

Police/Fire

Family Faces Charges for String of Thefts from Watertown Store

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Watertown Police arrested a man and woman, and one of their children after they were caught trying to take three carts full of merchandise from Target. They discovered it was not their first time doing so. On March 26 at 10 p.m., officers responded to Target after security had detained four people for allegedly shoplifting numerous items, said Watertown Police Lt. James O’Connor. The couple, a 47-year-old man and a 43-year-old woman, were caught along with their two children, ages 14 and 10. “Target security observed three individuals push two shopping carts full of merchandise out of the store with out paying,” O’Connor said.