Police/Fire

Watertown Police Emphasizing Building Relationships in Community

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When Watertown Police officers are on patrol, Police Chief Michael Lawn wants them to get to know the people in town and form relationships in the areas where they patrol. 

This is part of the Watertown Police Department’s emphasis on community policing, Lawn to the Town Council at Saturday’s budget hearing. “I tell them, I want you to get out of your car and talk to people,” Lawn said. “You are not starting a new program or making speeches, but talk to people.” As one example, he pointed to Sgt. John MacLellan, who one afternoon bought a bunch of big lollipops and gave them to a group of kids in East Watertown.

Police/Fire

Pedestrian Struck Monday Morning Near Watertown Square

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A pedestrian suffered “serious injuries” after being struck by a vehicle cross the road near Watertown Square on Monday morning. A man was hit near Watertown and California streets before 9 a.m. on Monday, according to Watertown Police Lt. James O’Connor. O’Connor said the injuries were serious, but did not have any more information. Police have closed Watertown Street at Aldrich Road, and they are redirecting traffic down California Street.

Police/Fire

Police Searching for Missing Watertown Man, May Have Been in Nahant

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A Watertown man has been reported missing since Sunday morning, and Watertown Police seek help in finding the 26-year-old man. Nolan Gargas, 26, was last seen on Saturday night, and his mother said she believes he drove to Nahant to photograph the sunrise, which is something he sometimes does, according to a report by NBC Boston News. Missing: Nolan Gargas, 26 yrs old, wht male, 6’2″, 150 lbs. Last wearing grn&wht plaid shirt. Maybe in Nahant area.

Police/Fire

Police Log: Bike Stolen from Car Rack, Teens Suspected of Stealing Laptop

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department. Arrests
May 10, 9:27 a.m.: An officer spotted a man known to have a suspended license driving in East Watertown. He was pulled over on Templeton Parkway and officers also found he had an active warrant out of Brighton District Court. The 30-year-old Somerville man was arrested for driving with a suspended license and the warrant charge. May 10, 11:45 a.m.: An accident was reported at the Arsenal Mall and when police arrived they saw a Toyota 4Runner leaving the area.

Police/Fire

Watertown Firefighters Battle Warehouse Fire, Hot Weather

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On one of the hottest days of the year, Watertown Firefighters had to battle a fire on the roof of a warehouse on Bridge Street. The warehouse, which is attached to the back of the Olympia Moving & Storage building, was being demolished on Wednesday. Watertown Fire officials believe that is what started the blaze. “We are pretty certain that the were beginning to cut with a power saw and the sparks caught the corrugated foam under the rubber roof – the insulation – on fire,” said Watertown Deputy Fire Chief Rob Iannetta. A second alarm was not required to battle the blaze, Iannetta said, but an additional fire engine from Newton came to assist the Watertown Fire Department.

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).