Government

Shootout with Bombing Suspects has Negative Impact on Watertown’s Kids

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{NOTE: The story was been updated on June 10, 2014 with more current information on the special education costs the district has spent this year.}

Some children living in the area where Watertown Police faced the Boston Marathon Bombing suspects have had long-term negative effects, which can be seen in the special education budget in town schools, officials said Thursday. Watertown schools have had a spike in the number of students with mental health problems, which is mostly seen in students who live close to the area of the shoot out – Dexter Avenue and Laurel Street in the East End. “We have seen high anxiety, older kids not wanting to be home alone and a feeling of hopelessness,” said Arlene Shainker, interim special education director. When it gets out of hand and affects their school life students are evaluated and sometimes sent to off-campus programs, including even hospitalization, Shainker said. The Impact

This school year Watertown has had 22 students placed in new out of district programs to meet their special needs, Shainker said, while last school year they had two.

Boston Marathon Bombing

Recalling the Watertown Shootout, Lockdown and Capture of the Bombing Suspect

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I awoke to the sound of “ping, ping, ping” on the early hours of April 19, 2013. Not the sound of gunfire, but the ringing of the email alert on my iPhone. After days of tragedy following the bombing I was emotionally pooped. That day I watched the inspiring words of President Obama during the Church Service for the bombing victims, and after days of knowing nothing about who had done this awful deed the FBI had released photos of the two men. There seemed to be some hope that they might catch the bombers, but no one seemed to know where they were.

Around Town

Franklin St. Residents Reflect on the Capture of the Bombing Suspect

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A year ago, it seemed like every law enforcement officer was focused on Franklin Street with the second Boston Marathon Bombing suspect cornered in the now infamous boat. A year later, residents reflected on that evening. NBC News interviewed a couple from Watertown who had recently moved to Franklin Street and suddenly found themselves huddled in a neighbors house after police evacuated them. Lori and Brendon Toye’s fence still has 21 bullet holes in it, and Lori said the sound of helicopters still rattles her. Read the entire NBC News story by clicking here.

Government

Public Works Wins Award for Work When Bombing Suspects Came to Town

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Watertown’s Public Works Department may not get the same heralding as the Police and Fire departments for the work during the search for the Boston Marathon bombing suspects, but the workers will get a big accolade this summer. The American Public Works Association announced it will present Watertown with the Exceptional Performance Award in Adversity at the annual conference in Toronto this August. On April 19, 2013, after Watertown Police faced off with the Boston Marathon Bombing suspects the Public Works Department closed off many streets in town and provided lights, among other things, to help law enforcement and the search for the second suspect.  

Public Works Director Gerald Mee received the announcement earlier this month, and Town Manager Michael Driscoll announced it at Tuesday’s Town Council Meeting. “I appreciate their efforts and it is well deserved,” Town Council President Mark Sideris said at the meeting.

Police/Fire

Watertown Police Officer Recalls Facing the Marathon Bombing Suspects

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Watertown Police Sgt. John MacLellan was the second officer to arrive at the intersection of Dexter Avenue and Laurel Street where police faced the armed and dangerous Boston Marathon Bombing suspects. MacLellan told WBZ Channel 4 that he will never forget what his fellow officers did that night. He also vowed never to be in a situation where he runs out of ammunition – as he did that night when facing down the Tsarnaev brothers. He now carries extra ammo, according to the WBZ report.

Government

Report Investigated Response to Bomber Manhunt in Watertown

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When the Boston Marathon Bombing suspects came to Watertown law enforcement and emergency personnel leapt into action and ultimately stopped the pair. A report recently published by Harvard University researchers examined how well agencies responded. The report, called “Why Was Boston Strong?: Lessons from the Boston Marathon Bombing” was produced by the Kennedy of School of Government’s Program on Crisis Leadership. Researchers used interviews with more than 100 people involved in the response to the bombing at the Marathon finish line as well as the shootout and manhunt in Watertown. The report concluded that the response at the finish line worked well in part because of the large presence of first responders already in place for the race, and because of good coordination.

Police/Fire

Watertown Police Chief Recounts Shootout with Bombing Suspect

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The anniversary of one of the most memorable days in Watertown history is coming up, and Police Chief Edward Deveau recently recounted the events of April 19, 2013. Deveau shared his memories with Foxsports.com, and recalled receiving a phone call from one of his officer who said “Chief, they’re shooting at us.” They, of course, are the Tsarnaev brothers who are the suspects in the Boston Marathon Bombing and in the killing of MIT Police Officer Sean Collier. He also talks about plans to run this year’s Boston Marathon. Read the entire article by clicking here.