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.

Charity

Casino Night Will Raise Funds for Cops for Kids with Cancer

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The Watertown Police will put on a Casino Night for a good cause this fall, with the proceeds going to a charity that helps the families of children fighting cancer. On Friday, Sept. 16, 2016 from 7 p.m. to midnight, a Casino Night will be held at American Legion Post 440 in Newton. Proceeds benefit Cops for Kids with Cancer, which provides thousands of dollars to families to help pay for the costs that insurance does not cover when a child undergoes cancer treatment. Last year, a the charity presented a Watertown family with a $5,000 check to help them out as their son underwent treatment for a rare form of leukemia.

Police/Fire

Rally to Support Watertown Police Officers Planned This Week

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In the wake of the recent violence against police officers in the United States a group of residents is organizing a rally to show support for Watertown Police Officers. 

The event will be a non-political gathering for residents to show support for the Watertown Police, said one of the organizers, Marilyn Petitto Devaney, a former Town Councilor and current Governor’s Councilor. “There will be no political speeches – it will be a low key, non-political gathering of residents showing support for our Watertown Police,” Petitto Devaney said. “With the violence occurring across our country we need to thank our Watertown Police.” The rally will be held Thursday, July 14 at 5:30 p.m. next to Town Hall.

Police/Fire

Police Respond to Call, Find One Car Missing, One With 2 Stolen Plates

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A Watertown resident thought her car was stolen by a man she had hired to paint her house and his girlfriend, but it turned out the car they arrived in was the sketchy one. 

On April 21 at 3 p.m., a Fairfield Street resident called police to report that her car was missing and the man she leant it to also had a bank check she had given him, said Watertown Police Lt. James O’Connor. “During the day she let they guy and his girlfriend take her vehicle to get supplies for her job,” O’Connor said. “Later in the day, when the people didn’t come back, she called police and at the time reported the vehicle stolen and he had a bank check and a small amount of cash.” She was able to cancel the bank check. At about 5:30 p.m., she called Police again to report the vehicle had been returned.

Around Town

Hundreds Celebrate Watertown Strong Spirit at 3rd Annual 5K Run

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Nearly 500 runners and walkers came out to take part in the race that was created to celebrate the spirit shown in Watertown after the capture of the Boston Marathon Bombers. 

Participants in third annual Watertown Strong 5K enjoyed sunny weather on Sunday. New Police Chief Michael Lawn thanked all those who came out to join in the race, or just to come watch. He remembered how the Watertown community pulled together during the lockdown and celebrated after the the capture of Dzhokhar Tsarnaev on April 19, 2013. Retired-Police Chief Edward Deveau also attended the event, which started and ended at Tufts Health Plan. As she has the last two years, Caillie Hughes performed her song “That Night” and sang the National Anthem before the race.