Government

Watertown Police Release Policy for Dealing with People’s Immigration Status

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On Wednesday, the Watertown Police Department released its written policy for how it deals with immigration status during routine police business, as well as more serious incidents. 

The policy mirrors what Police Chief Michael Lawn spoke about during the Unity Breakfast in January, when he said he does not plan to have his department seek out people’s immigration status. He believes this makes the town safer because people will not be scared to seek help or assist police because the are undocumented immigrants. Immigration Debate
Enforcement of the nation’s immigration laws has become a discussion from the national level all the way down to the local level since the Trump Administration began efforts to change the way they are enforced with a goal of removing illegal immigrants. This has lead some governments and community members, including Watertown, to discuss whether the town should be come a Sanctuary Community. The Trump Administration has threatened to remove federal funding from communities protecting undocumented immigrants, though some have argued this would not be Constitutional.

Police/Fire

Daisy Troop from Cunniff School Donates Stuffed Animals to Police

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Girl Scout Daisy Troop 62586, from the Cunniff School, donated stuffed animals, toys, art supplies and books they collected to create S.A.F.E. (stuffed animals for emergencies) boxes for the Watertown Police Department, according to a troop leader. Officer Kerilyn Amedio then came to our meeting to tell us about being a police officer, and the girls presented her with their donations. Back row-left to right-
Lila DiFrancesco, Brooke Levine, Julie Pipitone, Officer Kerilyn Amedio, Olivia Moylan, Maddie Rooney, Amanda Vieira
Front-left to right- Paige Croft, Charlotte Holland, Mie Lim, Dana Brisson, Josepha Contreras,
Not pictured- Maya Torres Henry

Police/Fire

Watertown Fire Chief Mario Orangio Announces His Retirement

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Watertown Fire Chief Mario Orangio told the Town Council Tuesday night that he has filed for retirement. 

Orangio has served as Fire Chief for more than 13 years, but he has decided to step down. “I have some health issues,” Orangio said. “It is time to pass the reins.” The Fire Department has been selling T-shirts to raise money to help Orangio and his family as he battles cancer, Deputy Fire Chief Bob Quinn said at a previous meeting. Town Manager Michael Driscoll said that he remembers appointing Orangio as a firefighter in 1989, and when be became a lieutenant in 1997, a captain in 2000 and then chief in 2004.

Police/Fire

Sen. Markey Wants to Give Feds Drug Detection Tech Used Now in Watertown

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Sen. Edward Markey visited Watertown to talk about legislation he has introduced that would provide border agents with the same technology to find illicit and dangerous drugs that the Watertown Police Department current uses. 

In just a couple minutes a handheld device made by a company in Waltham can test a substance through a plastic bag or glass and let police know if it is something harmless like sugar or the lethal synthetic opioid, fentanyl. The drug has replaced heroin as the drug of choice for many dealers and users in Massachusetts, but it is 50 times more powerful than heroin and can be deadly even if it just touches your skin. Recently an Ohio police officer overdosed on fentanyl which he was exposed to when he just brushed it off his uniform. Last year, Massachusetts had an estimated 2,069 opioid related deaths and nearly 70 percent of them involved fentanyl, putting the state the second highest per capita for synthetic opioid related deaths, behind New Hampshire, Markey said. “Fentanyl the Godzilla of opioids.

Arrests

Police Log: Man Displays ‘Gun’ to Motorist, Craigslist Scam Over Apartment

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department. 
Arrests
May 15, 12 midnight: Police were called to the Residence Inn for a report of a disturbance in a guest room. When officers spoke with a man and woman who had gotten into an argument they discovered the woman had an outstanding warrant. The 29-year-old Quincy woman was arrested on a warrant out of Boston District Court for larceny over $250. May 15, 5 p.m.: An officer patrolling in Coolidge Square spotted a man he knew to be wanted on a warrant. The 57-year-old Watertown man was stopped and arrested on the warrant from Concord District Court for OUI related charges.

Government

Watertown Police Writing Policy for Dealing with Immigrants, Sanctuary City Question Remains

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The Watertown Police Department will soon be releasing a written policy about how officers deal with immigrants, and will be reviewed by the Town Council. Town Manager Michael Driscoll told the Town Council Tuesday night that he expects it to be finished sometime in June. The Town Council has also been asked to pass a Sanctuary City ordinance to join other communities that have vowed to protect immigrants, documented or not. Town Council President Mark Sideris said Tuesday that he has not scheduled a date to discuss the subject. “I want to wait for the (Police Department’s) policy to see what it says, first,” Sideris said.

Police/Fire

$25K Reward Offered for Information on Missing Watertown Man

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A $25,000 reward is being offered for help finding missing Watertown man Nolan Gargas, and a tip line has been set up. 

The reward offer for information leading to finding the missing 26-year-old was announced Thursday, according to WHDH Channel 7, and confirmed by Watertown Police. The report also announced a new “Find Nolan tip line.” Gargas was last seen Sunday, May 21, and his grey 2006 Toyota was found in Nahant, but searches on land and sea could not locate him. He is described as 6-feet-2, 150 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes, and he was last seen wearing a green and white plaid shirt, brown pants and boots. Anyone with information is asked to contact the tip line at 617-202-0411.

Police/Fire

Police Still Trying to Locate Missing 26-Year-Old Watertown Man

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On May 21, 2017, Nolan Gargas’ family reported him missing and Watertown Police are seeking help locating him. Gargas’ grey 2006 Toyota with Massachusetts license plate 169 RK5 was found Sunday in Nahant and searches by authorities in the area could not locate him. He is a white male, age 26, 6-foot-2, 150 pounds, and was last seen wearing a green and white plaid shirt. He is also an experience hiker. Anyone with information about the whereabouts of Nolan Gargas should contact the Watertown Police Department at 617-972-6500 or Nahant Police at 781-581-1212.