Fallen Firefighter

Town Covers Cost of Fallen Firefighter, Will Cover Future Fire, Police Funerals

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The Town of Watertown paid for the cost of the funeral and burial of fallen Firefighter Joseph Toscano, and the Town Council approved a policy that will do the same for future tragedies involving Watertown firefighters or police officers. The state has an optional law that communities can adopt that allow them to pay for the funeral and burial expenses of a firefighter or police officer killed in the line of duty up to $15,000. Watertown had not adopted the law, but the Town Council unanimously approved it at its May 9 meeting. At their previous meeting on April 25, the Council approved a transfer of $9,896 from the Town Council Reserve to the Funeral Expenses Account to cover the funeral and burial costs of Joseph Toscano, who was honored by a funeral procession through Watertown Square and services at St. Patrick’s Church.

Police/Fire

Police Log: Gaggle of Teens Steals Items from Victoria’s Secret, Checks Taken

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department. Arrests
May 4, 2:51 p.m.: An officer pulled over a vehicle for speeding at Irving Street and Riverside Street. When he asked for the man’s license, the officer discovered the man was driving without a license. The 27-year-old Sharon man was arrested for driving without a license and was cited for speeding. May 6, 7:11 p.m.: An officer patrolling on Watertown Street spotted a man known to be wanted on an arrest warrant.

Police/Fire

Watertown Police Emphasizing Seat Belt Laws in May

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The Watertown Police Department, in partnership with the Highway Safety Division of the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, the Massachusetts State Police, and up to 200 other Massachusetts local police departments, will take part in the national Click It or Ticket campaign between May 8th and May 29th. This high-visibility mobilization will promote seat belt use through increased traffic enforcement in an effort to reduce motor vehicle deaths and injuries. “Our officers will enforce the seat belt and child passenger safety laws so that fewer people are needlessly injured or killed in crashes in Watertown,” said Chief Michael Lawn. Massachusetts seat belt usage is significantly lower than the national average – 78 percent compared to 90 percent, according to the state’s annual seat belt observation study. Sixty-four percent of the 172 people killed in motor vehicle crashes on Massachusetts roads in 2015 were known to be unrestrained, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Police/Fire

LETTER: Spring Fire Safety Tips from the Watertown Fire Department

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Residents of Watertown:

As the weather is beginning to improve it is becoming apparent that spring is here! With the nice weather and people spending more time outdoors, I felt it was a good time to offer some spring and summer fire prevention and safety tips. Grilling is a great way to prepare a meal while enjoying the nice weather, but there are a number of precautions that should be taken. Grills can only be used on a porch if it is a first floor porch with no roof or overhang and has an outdoor staircase to the ground or is at ground level. Grills cannot be within 10 feet of any structure; this includes, but is not limited to, sheds and fences.

Police/Fire

Police Log: Man Crashes into Wall While Fleeing Police, Lewd Conduct at a Park

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department. Arrests
April 24, 7:01 p.m.: Officers patrolling in Coolidge Square spotted a man they knew was wanted on a warrant. They stopped the 56-year-old Watertown man and arrested him on the warrant from Salem District Court for trespassing and disorderly conduct. April 29, 5:47 p.m.: Three women were seen taking clothing at The Gap in the Arsenal Mall. The group then headed to Marshall’s where security spotted them take a reusable shopping bag, grab three drinks out of a cooler and walked out of the store without paying.

Charles River

Bag of Drugs May Belong to Man Caught Trying To Evade Arrest by Jumping in River

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Watertown Police announced they are seeking to link a suspect in a drug arrest to a bag full of multiple drugs found near where he abandoned his car and jumped into the Charles River two weeks ago. London Cohen, 28, of Chelsea, was arrested on April 17 on charges of possession with intent to distribute a Class B Drug – cocaine, drug violations near a school or park, and multiple vehicle charges related to the chase on which he lead police. Police began following Cohen on Whitcomb Street, and tried to pull his grey Honda Accord over on Waverley Avenue. He pulled over on Summer Street but when the officer got out of his vehicle Cohen sped away, said Watertown Police Lt. James O’Connor. Officers followed him to Pleasant Street where Cohen jumped out of his car, headed toward the Charles River Path.

Police/Fire

Police Log: Business Owner Hit by Unhappy Customer, Multiple OUI Arrests

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department. Arrests
April 10, 12:36 p.m.: An officer monitoring traffic on Waltham Street spotted a speeding vehicle. When the vehicle was pulled over the driver did not have his license on him. Police discovered his license was revoked for being a habitual traffic rules violator. They also found he had an OUI conviction.

Police/Fire

Waltham Woman Busted for Allegedly Dealing Opiates in Watertown

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A 45-year-old Waltham woman who had been under investigation for drug dealing was arrested for allegedly dealing drugs in Watertown. 

The Suburban Middlesex County Drug Task Force had been surveilling a known heroin dealer in Waltham and followed a woman driving a vehicle into Watertown.  She was later identified as Elizabeth M. Caliri of Waltham. “They observed her vehicle pull onto Olcott Street and made a hand-t0-hand transaction,” said Watertown Police Lt. James O’Connor. “The pulled away and they followed her to Belmont Street where they watched her enter a residence and return to the vehicle a few minutes later.” The woman returned to Olcott Street, pulled over in the same area of the street.