Police/Fire

Watertown Police Offering Citizens Police Academy, Sign Up Now

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The Watertown Police Department announced the return of the Citizens Police Academy, and the latest class will begin on Oct. 5. The aim of the academy is to familiarize residents with the operations of the Watertown Police Department. Another goal of the citizens academy is to increase citizen-police interaction and cooperation. “It is our intention after the completion of this seven week course, participants will have a better understanding of the police officer’s role in the criminal justice system and an appreciation of the many challenges facing law enforcement in today’s society,” reads a letter about the program written by Police Capt. Raymond DuPuis.

Police/Fire

Watertown Police Officer Running from Springfield to Boston for Charity

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When Brandon O’Neill wakes up Friday morning, instead of getting ready to patrol the streets of Watertown he will get ready for a run – one which will take more than a day and cover 106 miles. O’Neill, who has been on the Watertown Police Department for six years, will take part in theSpringfield Ride to Remember. This is the fourth ride, which started to raise public awareness of officers who have died in the line of duty, and to raise funds for the Massachusetts Law Enforcement Memorial in Boston. This year’s ride is dedicated to Officer Ronald Tarentino, Jr. of the Auburn Police and Mass. State Trooper Thomas Clardy, both of whom died in the course of duty in 2016.

Around Town

One of the Heroes of the Watertown Shootout Addresses the Rotary Club

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Watertown Police Sgt. Jeff Pugliese, one of the officers who took on the Boston Marathon bombers in the Watertown Shootout, recently spoke with the Rotary Club of Watertown. Pugliese is a 37 year veteran of the Watertown Police Department. He shared some of the terrifying and horrific details from that night and gave Rotary members more insight into the event.

Police/Fire

Man Tries to Gain Entry to Elderly Woman’s Home Posing as Utility Worker

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A man saying he was from the utility company tried to gain access to an elderly woman’s home in a suspected scam. A Beechwood Avenue resident reported an unknown male came to her door claiming he was from a utility company. He said that they would be shutting down the electricity in the area for three days, so he wanted to set up a generator in her back yard, according to Watertown Police Lt. James O’Connor. “He said he would have to have access to the interior of her house and her backyard,” O’Connor said. The woman said he also asked how her “hubby” was doing?

Police/Fire

Woman Followed by Strange Man While Running Through Watertown

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A woman reported being followed by a stranger on her run around Watertown, and he approached her two separate times, according to police. A couple driving through Coolidge Square stopped a police officer and a 35-year-old woman told the officer she was followed by a man just about 15 minutes earlier, said Watertown Police Lt. James O’Connor. “She was out on Aug. 25 about 6:30 p.m. running down Common Street toward Watertown Square,” O’Connor said. “She got the feeling she was being followed and she stopped and turned around and saw the same man stopping and starting to walk.”

Police/Fire

Thief Uses Unusual Method to Rob Watertown Gas Station

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Like something you would see on a television show, a Watertown gas station was robbed when someone cut through a wall and stole money from the office safe. On July 25 at 7:15 a.m., an employee of AAA Auto Service on Main Street discovered the safe in the gas station’s office was forced open. An undisclosed amount of money was taken, said Watertown Police Lt. James O’Connor. “Sometime during the overnight hours someone went into the bathroom – the door of was left unlocked,” O’Connor said. “The person went in an chiseled through the cement block wall, which led to the office where the safe was.”

Police/Fire

Watertown Chief Hears from Obama During 21st Century Policing Conference

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The Watertown Police Department is pleased to announce that Police Chief Michael Lawn attended a 21st Century Policing Briefing in Washington, D.C., where President Barack Obama made a guest appearance, to talk about the future of policing. The White House hosted the fourth in a series of meetings since June for law enforcement officials focused on implementing the recommendations set forth by the President’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing on July 18. “My hope is that it’s been useful in giving you some tools and best practices to give you a sense of how departments on the cutting-edge are using data to train officers and engage with the community,” President Obama said at the event. “We also are hopefully hearing from you about what you’ve learned in your experience works and doesn’t work, and where the federal government can partner with your departments and state and local law enforcement officers across the country to do even better.” More than 150 law enforcement officials were in attendance at the event last week.

Police/Fire

Residents Come Out to Thank Watertown Police During a Tough Time for Cops

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Some Police Departments in America have had some difficult and testing times recently, but Thursday evening a group of about 30 people came out to an event to support the Watertown Police Department in their efforts to avoid troubles facing other departments. The ceremony was held in the evening sun on the plaza next to Town Hall. Organizer Marilyn Petitto Devaney said that she abhors the killing of black men by police, but added that for each bad police officer, there are millions of good ones, including those in Watertown. “We are here for only one purpose – to collectively say thank you to our Watertown Police officers, and say that we support them,” Petitto Devaney said.  

Watertown Police Chief Michael Lawn remembered the five officers killed in Dallas by a man saying he was retaliating for recent killing of black men by police in Minnesota and Louisiana.