Letters

LETTER: Residents Get Inside Look at Police Department During Citizen’s Academy

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Fellow Watertown Residents …

We are a group of Watertown residents who have just completed the Citizen’s Policy Academy, offered by the Watertown Police Department. We want to express our thanks for this opportunity to experience the Watertown Police Department from the inside – through class presentations by Department staff, touring the Station and even riding with Patrol Officers on active duty. During this eight-session course we were able to meet and engage with Officers, Detectives, and Command Staff from all four divisions (Patrol, Traffic, Detective, Community & Staff Development). We learned about the capabilities and operations of the Department, and have gained a new awareness and understanding of the dedication, duties, and skills of the men and women who serve our community. One particular highlight was the demonstration of the firearms training simulation.

Charity

Watertown Toy Drive Gets Help from Local Chef, Needs More Assistance This Year

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The effort to make sure that every child in town receives a gift for Christmas, one organized by members of the Watertown Police and Fire departments, got a helping hand from one of Watertown’s culinary stars, and the drive needs an extra hand this year. 

On Monday afternoon, Chef Mike Fucci presented a check for $1,000 to the Whooley Foundation, the group that organizes the toy drive in town during the holidays each year. Fucci, who runs Chef Mike’s Kitchen and has been featured multiple times on Food Network, does a lot of work for charities, especially during the holidays. He will be cooking a meal for 1,000 people at the New England Center and Home for Veterans later this month. This is the first year, however, that he has donated to the Whooley Foundation. “I didn’t know about the toy drive, otherwise I would have done it a lot sooner,” Fucci said.

Police/Fire

Watertown Police Arrest Major Drug Dealer After Long Investigation

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Watertown Police, working with the Suburban Middlesex County Drug Task Force, arrested a 39-year-old town resident suspected of dealing narcotics in the area. 

The Watertown Police Detective Division executed a search warrant at 44C Robert Ford Road on Nov. 15, 2017, and discovered narcotics, cash, a firearm, ammunition and brass knuckles, according to Watertown Police Lt. James O’Connor. The arrest of Jason Alberto Dalencar, 39, of Watertown was the result of a six-month investigation. “Jason Dalencar was believed to be a major supplier of narcotics in Watertown,
Waltham, and Newton,” O’Connor said. The narcotics are the prescription opioid oxycodone.

Police/Fire

Watertown Police Running Compliance Checks of Establishments Serving Alcohol

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The Watertown Police Department announced it will be conducting annual Alcohol Compliance Checks of all licensed establishments beginning in November 2017 through November 2018. 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).

Police/Fire

Headstones, Monument Damaged by Vandal at Cemetery in Watertown

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A statue and several headstones were damaged by a vandal at St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Watertown. The damage was discovered on Tuesday evening at about 7 p.m., and Watertown Police are investigating. “It was reported by someone who frequents the cemetery,” said Watertown Police Lt. James O’Connor. “The person called up reporting vandalism at the cemetery.”

Police/Fire

Updated: Police Seeking Identity of Woman Who Stole Wallet at Russo’s

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Update: Watertown Police announced on Nov. 3 that they had identified the woman. Original story:

Watertown Police seek help identifying a woman suspected of taking a wallet from Russo’s. 

On Oct. 24 at 4:45 p.m. a woman reported that her wallet had been taken from the market on Pleasant Street. The woman mistakenly left her wallet in a shopping carriage when she was putting her groceries into her vehicle. When she realized what she had done she returned to the store, but the wallet was gone, according to Watertown Police Lt. James O’Connor.

Police/Fire

Two Men Arrested for Dealing Drugs During the Daytime on Arsenal Street

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A Boston man and a New Jersey man face drug dealing charges after being arrested by police following an investigation by drug investigators from Middlesex County and Boston. On the afternoon of Oct. 21 members of the Suburban Middlesex County Drug Task Force – which includes an officer from Watertown – working with the Boston Police Drug Control Unit were watching two individuals in the parking lot of Target on Arsenal Street, near Friendly’s, said Watertown Police Sgt. Thomas Grady. “The officers observed behavior consistent with drug dealing,” Grady said.

Around Town

Drop Off Your Unused or Expired Prescription Drugs at the Police Station

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The Town of Watertown will be hosting a prescription drug take back day. The town sent out the following announcement. Do you have unused or expired prescription medications in your home? Dispose of them the safe way! Prescription Drug Take Back Day Saturday, October 28, 2017 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Bring medication you no longer need to the Watertown Police Department 552 Main Street, Watertown.