Police/Fire

WPD Hosting Community Police Academy, Neighborhood Meeting

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The Watertown Police Department is still looking for a few recruits to attend a Community Police Academy that kicks off on March 26. The Police will also hold the first in a series of neighborhood meetings at St. James Church. 

The Watertown Police provided the following announcements:

Community Police Academy

WHEN? From March 26 to April 30, every Tuesday evening from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Topics will Include:

• Roles and Responsibilities of Detective, Patrol, & Traffic Operations. • Our School Resource Officers and Community Policing Initiatives. • The Legal Issues that shape law enforcement.

Police/Fire

Police Warn of Phone Scam Using WPD’s Phone Number

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The Watertown Police sent out the following information about a scam that was reported on Wednesday, Feb. 28:

This morning, a private citizen received a phone call from the Watertown Police Phone Number (617-972-6500) and the caller Identified themselves as Chief Hanrahan. The caller knew the citizen’s full name and then proceeded to tell her “we have illegal orders for you, if you don’t cooperate we are going to come to your house and arrest you”. When the citizen asked how to cooperate, she was told to provide certain personal information. The citizens’ instincts were correct and decided not to cooperate and hung up the phone.

Schools

Details Released on Steps Taken by School & Police After Discovery of Middle School List

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Watertown Middle School (Courtesy of Watertown Public Schools)

Watertown Public School officials released some details about the steps taken by Watertown Middle School and the Watertown Police following the discovery of a list of students created by a WMS student. A meeting was held Tuesday night where some parents expressed frustration about the lack of information released. The meeting Tuesday night was closed to the media, and school officials said it was intended for parents, staff and the Watertown Middle School community. Watertown Middle School Principal Jennifer Fein Chen and Watertown Superintendent Dede Galdston sent out the following letter:

Dear Watertown Middle School Families

Thank you to all the members of our WMS community who came to our discussion last night regarding our school safety situation last week. One of the primary takeaways from this forum was that many caregivers feel that not enough information about the school’s process has been shared.

Police/Fire

Learn About Being a Watertown Police Officer at Information Session

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Find out what it is like to be a Watertown Police officer at an informal meeting hosted by Police Chief Justin Hanrahan. The Watertown Police will host an informal Q&A session for possible new officers. Hear from Chief Hanrahan, Capt. Dan Unsworth, and other members of the WPD. “If you are interested, come down to the PD and speak to our officers. Ask questions about the hiring process or anything else related to becoming a member of our police department.

Police/Fire

Watertown Police Running Women’s Self-Defense Course

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The Watertown Police Department is running a self-defense class for women in January on the Perkins School for the Blind. It is open to residents and Perkins employees. “Several spots still available! WPD is teaching a R.A.D. class. If you are interested and can commit to ALL four classes, then please contact Det.

Around Town

Tradition of Giving Gifts to Kids in Need That was Started by Former Watertown Police Officer, Continues Today

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Toys collected for the Whooley Foundation during a recent drive. Pictured, from left, Rotary Club President Kim Severino, Watertown Business Coalition Co-President Doug Orifice, Whooley Foundation President David Collins, Watertown Business Coalition Co-President Bob Airasian, and Mosesian Center for the Arts Executive Director Darren Farrington. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

Every year, days before Christmas, toys donated from around the community fill the Community Room at the Watertown Police Station in preparation to be distributed to families in need around the community. The drive is organized by the Sonny Whooley Foundation, named for a former Watertown Police officer known for his generosity, said David Collins, president of the Whooley Foundation. Over the years, the Whooley Foundation has helped thousands of families, Collins said.

Police/Fire

Mother Struck by Car Outside Cunniff School, Taken to Hospital

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Photo by Alejandro Mejía Greene/JubiloHaku via Flickr Creative Commons

A woman was struck by a vehicle as she was putting her child into a car seat outside Cunniff Elementary School on Thursday afternoon, and was taken to hospital. Watertown Police and Fire departments responded to the school on Warren Street at 2:45 p.m. on Nov. 2 after the report of a motor vehicle accident involving a pedestrian. “The mother sustained a lower-body injury and was transported to Beth Israel Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The child was unharmed,” the Watertown Police announced in a statement.