Government

Watertown Police Get New Contract, Will Carry Anti-Overdose Meds

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The Watertown Police patrolman’s union recently agreed to a new contract with the town, and last week it was approved by the state’s Joint Labor-Management Committee. 

Tuesday night, Town Manager Michael Driscoll announced the approval of the agreement, which covers Fiscal Years 2014-16. It will give patrol officers a 2.5 percent raise for each of those years. Driscoll noted this is the same increase given to other town unions. Other additions to the contract include all officers having to wear body armor when they are in the field, they must carry the anti-overdose drug Narcan and Epi-pens for people having allergic reactions. With the epidemic of opioids and heroin in Watertown, the fact that patrol officers will now carry Narcan pleased Councilor Aaron Dushku.

Police/Fire

Residents Can Turn in Unwanted Guns at Buyback Event in Watertown

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Watertown Police Chief Michael Lawn urges residents to bring their unwanted guns in exchange for a gift card at the first such event ever held in Watertown. Gun buybacks are more common in inner city areas suffering from gun violence, but the emphasis of this event is to make homes in Watertown safer, Lawn said. “When I first heard about it, I thought of ones with Boston with gangs,” Lawn said. “When they started talking about safer homes, it started to make sense.” Belmont held a gun buyback last year, which brought in more than 60 weapons.

Police/Fire

Police Log: Man Eats His Way to Arrest, Woman’s Bingo Bag Stolen

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department. Arrests
June 3, 2:20 p.m.: A man was seen walking through Stop & Shop in Watertown Square, taking food off the shelf and eating it while he browsed through the store. He was also seen putting items in a backpack and then attempted to walk out without paying. The 48-year-old Boston man was arrested for shoplifting, a second offense. June 3, 7:50 p.m.: A witness saw a Jeep SUV strike a curb on School Street.

Police/Fire

Pharmacist Assists Watertown Police in Bust of Man for Using False Prescriptions

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Watertown Police charged a man for using false prescriptions, and received help from an alert pharmacist. Just after midnight on June 1, a man came into CVS on Main Street and presented two prescriptions for Adderall, according to Watertown Police Lt. James O’Connor. “The pharmacist identified the prescriptions to be false due to wording,” O’Connor said. “Because he didn’t want to tip off the suspect (the pharmacist) said the prescription would be ready in 20 minutes and contacted police.” When police arrived, the man had left CVS, but they were able to identify him because the man had presented a driver’s license when he gave the pharmacist the prescriptions, O’Connor said.

Abused Dog

Fund Created for Sully, the Abused Dog Found in Watertown

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A fund has been set up to raise money for the care and recovery of “Sully Doe,” the abused pit bull found emaciated at Home Depot in Watertown on June 4. 

Watertown Animal Control Officer Karen O’Reilly said she has been amazed by the level of concern people have shown for Sully. “There has been an incredible outpouring of love and concern for Sully,” O’Reilly announced on the Watertown Animal Control Facebook page. “We have been thankfully inundated with calls from great people as far away as California asking to donate to his care.” For now, O’Reilly is caring for the dog, who was only half the weight he was supposed to be when he was found, and had what appeared to be cigarette burns on him. “He is staying with me so I can keep a close eye on him,” O’Reilly said.

Around Town

PETA Offers $5,000 for Info Leading to Arrest of Abuser of Watertown Dog

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The animal rights group PETA has stepped forward to offer $5,000 for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible for abusing the dog found in Watertown. 

The story of “Sully Doe” – the emaciated dog with possible cigarette burns found at Home Depot – has spread far past Watertown and been met with sadness and disdain. On Wednesday, PETA announced it would offer the reward. Sully, a young pit bull, was taken in by the Watertown Animal Control Officer on June 4 and then taken to a veterinarian for treatment. The 1-year old dog had several wounds that appeared to be cigarette burns on his chest and hind legs, and notches cut into his ears. He weighed only 26 pounds, which is about half the expected weight for a dog of his size.

Animal Cruelty

Watertown Police Seeking Owner of Starving Dog Found at Home Depot

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Watertown Police seek help finding the owners of the severely undernourished dog that was found at Home Depot in town. 

The pit bull was found early Saturday morning and was “all skin and bones,” according to a report on WHDH Channel 7 (read the whole story and see a picture here). The dog, which is being called “Sully Doe” also had other injuries, according to police. “He has numerous lesions that may be cigarette burns and each ear has had a small notch cut into them. He weighs in at 26 pounds which is less than half of what a healthy weight would be for this breed,” Police announced. Once Sully gains enough weight, he will be put up for adoption.

Bank Robbery

Man Sentenced to State Prison for Robbing Bank in Watertown

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A man convicted of robbing a Citizens Bank in Watertown was indicted and sentenced to prison for his crime, the Middlesex District Attorney’s office announced. James Eaton, 56, of Waltham was indicted on the charge of masked armed robbery on April 26, 2016. “On October 11, 2015, the defendant entered a Stop and Shop on Pleasant Street in Watertown wearing a ski cap, gloves and sunglasses,” according to the DA’s office. “The defendant walked up to the bank branch in the Stop & Shop and demanded money from the teller claiming he was armed. The defendant left the store with $1,000.”