The Watertown Police Department ran a saturation patrol on Thursday focusing on stores often hit by shoplifters. The operation was one of a series of stings focused on shoplifting going back to April 2024. The WPD sent out the following announcement:
On June 26, 2025, Watertown Police conducted a saturation patrol operation at Arenal Yards and the Watertown Mall in an effort to prevent shoplifting. The operation resulted in four individuals being taken into custody on shoplifting-related charges, while one person was issued a trespassing order.
The Watertown Police were assisted by the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office, the Suburban Middlesex County Drug Task Force, and store loss prevention personnel. Their combined efforts contributed to the success of the operation and the enforcement of retail theft prevention measures in the area.
I’m very grateful to the WPD for their effort—even while I feel the kleptomaniacs have a “same time tomorrow” attitude toward their arrests. In 2024, Chief Hanrahan said he wanted to “send a message” to shoplifters. Message received: see you in 14 months. I can’t blame the police alone. So many crooks with so many priors, what’s a cop to do? Arrest a career criminal AGAIN? Our elected and appointed representatives say no, and we reelect them. As long as everyone else is happy with higher prices, household staples under lock and key, and an erosion of civil society, who am I to complain? Love it or leave it.
Nail + hammer= on the head