Arrests

Shoplifter Arrested After Throwing Punches at Two Police Officers

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Watertown Police arrested a Dorchester man when he became violent after being stopped for shoplifting at Forever 21 at the Arsenal Project.  

On Jan. 23 at 6:08 p.m., police were called to the mall after store security stopped a man who was allegedly working with a former employee to steal merchandise, said Watertown Police Lt. James O’Connor. A manager spotted the former employee, who had been fire about a week prior, and saw the man going into a changing room with numerous items, but never saw him go to the register to pay, O’Connor said. The former employee appeared to be working with another man, later identified as Brandon Joseph.

Around Town

Gloucester Police Chief Shares New, Effective Ways of Battling Heroin Epidemic

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A room filled with people searching for ways to end the epidemic of heroin and opioid addiction listened with rapt attention Tuesday afternoon to the Massachusetts police chief credited with finding a new and effective way of tackling the problem. After four people in his community died from heroin overdoses last spring, Gloucester Police Chief Leonard Campanello decided to move away from the traditional model of arresting drug user. His department announced on Facebook that any addict who walks into the police station with all of their drug equipment and drugs and asks for help will not be charged. Instead they would be helped to get treatment. The message resonated far beyond Gloucester.

Around Town

Watertown Police Lieutenant to Speak About Community Policing

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The public is invited to hear from the Watertown Police about community policing and challenges facing the police department. World in Watertown sent out the following information:

At the February 4 World in Watertown Meeting, Lt. Daniel Unsworth, head of the Community and Staff Development Division, Watertown Police Department, will talk about his role in community policing and the challenges the police department faces in a community like Watertown. This will be an informal discussion, so bring your questions. The World in Watertown meets at First Parish of Watertown, 35 Church Street, the first Thursday every month, from 7:15-9 p.m. For more information, call 617-926-7814.

Cancer

Watertown Family Receives Money from Cops for Kids with Cancer

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Three-year-old Max Heiniluoma was diagnosed with cancer in October, and has been given a two-year treatment program. While his family’s health insurance covers most of the cost, there are many co-payments and lost wages when Max is in hospital. That’s where Cops for Kids with Cancer steps in. Last week, Robert Faherty, chairman of the board for the non-profit group, came to the Watertown Police Station to present Max’s father Andrew with a $5,000 check to help pay for the costs that insurance doesn’t cover. Andrew heard about Cops for Kids with Cancer and was told to contact his local police department.

Government

Town Manager Announces Watertown’s New Police Chief

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Police Lt. Michael Lawn has has been appointed Watertown’s new Police Chief by Town Manager Michael Driscoll. 

The process to replace Edward Deveau started in the fall, and six candidates – two captains and four lieutenants – went through a day-long Assessment Center where they were judged on how they would deal with real-world situations. The six candidates were ranked based on their scores on the assessment center. Lawn, who has been on the force for 26 years, Lt. Daniel Unsworth and Lt. Justin Hanrahan (both with 18 years of experience) were the finalists. The three then went through two rounds of interviews. The Council’s Committee on Public Safety had several areas they wanted the assessment center to cover, and on which to judge the candidates. The points were:

A demonstrated commitment to Community Policing
A history of connecting to minority and other marginalized communities
Ability to work well with schools and social service agencies and to provide leadership in inter-departmental initiatives such as the current opiate crisis, healthy aging, criminal justice reform, gun safety, and mental health issues
Ability and commitment to implement non-violent and non-militarized intervention
Has a vision for Watertown’s future and the ability and flexibility to communicate it
Is responsive to residential concerns (large and small), including being cognizant of the department’s role in traffic and ordinance enforcement

The candidates were also judged on how they met the best police practices laid out in the President’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing, published in May 2015.

Breakins

Intruder Walks in on Woman While Breaking Into a Watertown Home

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A Watertown woman got a shock when a masked man walked into her home in broad daylight. At about 4:30 p.m. on Jan. 12, a Prescott Street resident told police she was at home in the second story of  a two-family home when she heard loud bangs from the front door, said Watertown Police Lt. Michael Lawn. “She heard footsteps ascending the stairs. When she came down the hallway the door opened and a man in a mask covering the lower part of his face came in,” Lawn said.

Arrests

Police Log: Construction Vehicle Stolen, Copper Downspouts Missing

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department. Arrests
Jan. 5, 10:54 p.m.: Police knew that a man on Adams Street had a warrant for his arrests. They served the warrant and arrested the Watertown man on the warrant from Cambridge District Court possession of a Class A drug, conspiracy to violate drug laws and intimidation of a witness. Jan.