Police/Fire

40 Watertown Youngsters Get to Shop With a Cop at Target

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The aisles at Target were full of police officers Thursday evening, but they were not there looking for a suspect. Members of the Watertown and Boston police departments helped youngsters pick out some gifts during the Heroes and Helpers event sponsored by the store. The program has been going on for several years, said Valerie Guite, executive team leader of asset protection the Target at the Watertown Mall. “This is the fifth year and it is the biggest year yet,” Guite said. “A total of 40 Watertown children and 20 from Boston got a $50 gift card to shop with police.”

Letters

LETTER: Residents Get Inside Look at Police Department During Citizen’s Academy

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Fellow Watertown Residents …

We are a group of Watertown residents who have just completed the Citizen’s Policy Academy, offered by the Watertown Police Department. We want to express our thanks for this opportunity to experience the Watertown Police Department from the inside – through class presentations by Department staff, touring the Station and even riding with Patrol Officers on active duty. During this eight-session course we were able to meet and engage with Officers, Detectives, and Command Staff from all four divisions (Patrol, Traffic, Detective, Community & Staff Development). We learned about the capabilities and operations of the Department, and have gained a new awareness and understanding of the dedication, duties, and skills of the men and women who serve our community. One particular highlight was the demonstration of the firearms training simulation.

Charity

Watertown Toy Drive Gets Help from Local Chef, Needs More Assistance This Year

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The effort to make sure that every child in town receives a gift for Christmas, one organized by members of the Watertown Police and Fire departments, got a helping hand from one of Watertown’s culinary stars, and the drive needs an extra hand this year. 

On Monday afternoon, Chef Mike Fucci presented a check for $1,000 to the Whooley Foundation, the group that organizes the toy drive in town during the holidays each year. Fucci, who runs Chef Mike’s Kitchen and has been featured multiple times on Food Network, does a lot of work for charities, especially during the holidays. He will be cooking a meal for 1,000 people at the New England Center and Home for Veterans later this month. This is the first year, however, that he has donated to the Whooley Foundation. “I didn’t know about the toy drive, otherwise I would have done it a lot sooner,” Fucci said.

Arrests

Police Log: Victim Scammed for $16K, Car’s Wheels Stolen While Parked in Garage

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department. Arrests
Nov. 21, 2 p.m.: Police went to the home of a man they knew was wanted on warrants. The 20-year-old Watertown man was arrested on four warrants: one from Brookline District Court for shoplifting and vandalizing property; one from Cambridge District Court on two counts of breaking and entering and one count of larceny from a boat; one from Brighton District Court for one count of resisting arrest and seven motor vehicle offenses; and one from Roxbury District Court for shoplifting. Nov.

Fire

Fire Damages Kitchen in Watertown’s Flaming Pit Restaurant

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A fire broke out in the kitchen of the recently opened Flaming Pit restaurant on Arsenal Street, Thursday evening, but Watertown Firefighters were able to stop the fire before it damaged the building. Employees were in the restaurant at 222 Arsenal Street when the fire started, shortly after 8 p.m. on Nov. 30. “The fire started in the hood above the cooking area,” said Watertown Deputy Fire Chief Dan Tardif. The flames spread through the restaurant’s duct work, and got up to the ducts on the roof, Tardif said.

Charity

Donate to the Watertown Police Toy Drive at Locations Around Town

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The Whooley Foundation, named after a former Watertown Police officer, is collecting toys and donations for children in the community. The donations go to children and assist more than 100 in the community each year. The Foundation’s motto is “Our Mission is to ensure that no child in our community goes without the joy of opening a present during the holidays.” Unwrapped toys, gift cards and monetary donations for children from infants to teens will be accepted through Dec. 20 at drop off locations around town:

Watertown Police Station – 552 Main Street

All 3 Watertown Fire Stations – 99 Main Street, 564 Mount Auburn Street, 270 Orchard Street

Strip T’s Restaurant – 93 School Street

Porcini’s Restaurant – 68 School Street

Watertown Senior Center – 31 Marshall Street

Donations can also be made online at https://www.youcaring.com/the-whooley-foundation-479839

Fire

Watertown Firefighters Douse Blaze at Arsenal Street Restaurant

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A fire has broken out at the Flaming Pit Restaurant on Arsenal Street in Watertown. Initial reports said that the fire was in the rear of the Mediterranean restaurant at 222 Arsenal Street. The first calls came in shortly after 8 p.m. Thursday night. As of 9:12 p.m. firefighters had doused the flames and were checking for hot spots, according to fire radio. The restaurant is located in the block of business next to the new Gables Apartment complex on Arsenal Street.