Around Town

Reporter Honored for Story About Unsolved Murder of Ex-Watertown Police Officer

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WBUR reporter and Watertown resident Bruce Gellerman received a New England regional award for his piece on the unsolved murder of a former Watertown Police Officer. Gellerman’s piece “Who Killed Gail Miles?: The Unsolved Murder of a Retired Watertown Cop,” won the Edward Murrow R. Award award for Best Investigative Reporting from the Radio Television Digital News Association. (See the story here). Miles, who was 61, was found brutally murdered on Dec. 3, 2011 in her Roxbury home.

Death in River

Watertown Man Dies After Being Pushed into Charles River by Friend

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A Watertown man died after being pushed into the Charles River by a friend on Tuesday evening. Mitchell Harrison, 26, of Watertown, fell in to the water and was under for many minutes before divers found his body, according to a Boston Globe report. Harrison was pushed into the river near the Massachusetts Avenue Bridge by Lenny Quintero-Flores, who said the victim was his best friend. Quintero Flores apologized after a court hearing on Wednesday. He now faces manslaughter charges, according to WCVB Channel 5.

Police/Fire

Watertown Gun Buyback Collects 50 Guns, Plus Ammunition

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The first ever Watertown gun buyback brought in many weapons – including an assault rifle – along with some ammunition on Saturday. 

Watertown Police Chief Michael Lawn was pleased with the event, which took place at First Parish Church, in conjunction with the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office and the Massachusetts State Police. “It went very well,” Lawn said. “We collected 50  guns and a bunch of ammunition. One of the guns was a AR-15 assault rifle.” The AR-15 is similar to the one used in the nightclub shooting in Orlando.

Arrests

Police Log: Man Caught Breaking into Liquor Store, Car Stolen Off Street

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department. Arrests
June 7, 1:45 a.m.: A man broke a glass door at Arsenal Wine and Spirits and went inside and stole two pints of Smirnoff vodka. A witness saw the man break in and come out. Police were able to locate a suspect who matching the witness’ description. The man had fresh cuts on his hands.

Fire Department

Watertown Firefighters to Get New Breathing Equipment Thanks to Grant

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Soon, Watertown Firefighters will have modern equipment to use when going into areas with dangerous fumes, and will be able to be located more easily should the get lost or injured in a fire. The Watertown Fire Department received the Assistance to Firefighters Grant from the federal Department of Homeland Security. The Town Council approved the town’s share, $22,163, while the federal government will pay for $221,637, Town Manager Michael Driscoll said. The money will pay for a set of 31 self-contained breathing apparatuses, said Fire Chief Mario Orangio. “This allows us to enter building in hazardous conditions,” Orangio said.

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.