Police/Fire

WBUR Series Tells the Story of a Former Watertown Cop Murdered in Her Home

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A two-part story about the murder of a former Watertown Police officer whose murder remains unsolved, will air on WBUR 90.9 FM on Monday and Tuesday. Gail Miles was Watertown’s first, black female officer and she was killed under mysterious circumstances in December 2011 in her Roxbury home. The killing remains unsolved. Her career in Watertown was not always a smooth one, as she sued the department claiming she had been the victim of discrimination. In late 2001, Miles received $150,000 in a settlement out of court, and the settlement contained a stipulation that Watertown Police complete a mandatory officer training program aimed at preventing sexual and racial harassment, according to a Boston Globe report at the time of her death.

Police/Fire

Watertown Police Arrest Drug Dealer After a Joint Investigation

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Watertown Police arrested a drug dealer after a months-long investigation. The police department teamed with the Suburban Middlesex Drug Task Force during the investigation, said Watertown Police Lt. Michael Lawn

“In January 2015, police received complaints of a drug dealer in the area of Waverley Avenue,” Lawn said. The man was identified as 44-year-old Preston Mitchell of Watertown, Lawn said. On the evening of April 21, police arrested Mitchell on three counts of distribution of a Class B substance – Percocet pills, Lawn said.

Police/Fire

Beware of Phone Scammers Claiming to be Middlesex Sheriff Koutoujian

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Residents should beware of a phone scam being done using the Middlesex Sheriff’s number claiming people owe taxes. The Middlesex Sheriff’s Office has received more than 30 calls from individual reporting having been contacted over the phone by men and women claiming to be with the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office and threatening arrest for failure to pay federal taxes, according to an announcement from the Sheriff’s Office. A number of those who reported the calls to the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office said a male caller specifically identified himself as Middlesex Sheriff Peter Koutoujian. The Middlesex Sheriff’s Office also determined that many of those who received scam calls yesterday were affiliated with Tufts University and immediately notified the university once that connection was made. The Tufts University Police Department encourages students or employees who receive such calls to let TUPD know as soon as possible.

Police/Fire

Man Caught with Stolen Car After a String of Car Break Ins

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A Cambridge man faces a wide range of charges after being caught in a car he allegedly stole from Watertown and was caught sleeping inside by police in Somerville. On April 20, a Brimmer Street resident reported that a 2009 Honda Pilot had been stolen, said Watertown Police Lt. Michael Lawn. The owner believes the keys were left in the vehicle. The vehicle had a Lo-Jack system, and the vehicle was tracked to Somerville, Lawn said. “When Somerville Police approached the vehicle they saw an individual sleeping in the backseat of the motor vehicle,” Lawn said.

Police/Fire

Sign Up Your Children for the Middlesex Sheriff’s Youth Academy

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Middlesex Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian recently announced applications are now available for youngsters interested in participating in the Sheriff’s 2015 Youth Public Safety Academy (YPSA). “I am excited to once again be able to offer this program for youngsters from communities across the county,” said Sheriff Koutoujian. “Thanks to our tremendous staff and our public safety partners, YPSA provides a fun-
filled and educational environment for children to learn about public safety and get to know not only our officers, but also the police officers and firefighters from their own communities.”

Once again this year, the academy will be open to children ages 9-11, with six one-week camps beginning on July 6. To learn more about the YPSA program and fill out an online application, please visit www.middlesexsheriff.org/YPSA.html.

Police/Fire

Police Log: Second Time Not a Charm for Shoplifter, Mother Arrested for Endangering Child

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department. Arrests
April 14, 2:58 a.m.: Police discovered a man had a probation warrant. The 27-year old Watertown man was arrested on the warrant out of Waltham District Court. April 15, 2:27 p.m.: An officer stopped a man on Main Street who had a warrant. The 29-year-old Watertown man was arrested on a warrant for a probation violation out of Waltham District Court.

Police/Fire

Brighton Man Busted for Selling Drugs in Watertown

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A 30-year old Brighton man faces multiple drug charges after Watertown Police caught him allegedly selling drugs in the West End of Watertown. Police received reports that a Dodge Caravan had been coming to Highland Avenue to meet other cars and exchange something before leaving the area, said Watertown Police Lt. Michael Lawn. Police watched the area where the Caravan was seen, and found a vehicle. A short time later another vehicle showed up. “It appeared that two individuals were engaging in a drug deal,” Lawn said.

Government

See Details of the Firefighters Suit Against the Town of Watertown

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The Watertown Firefighters are not going away quietly after the Town Council rejected an arbitration panel’s award, and have filed suit asking the court to have the Council’s vote voided, bring the vote back for another vote and make the vote only based on the town’s ability to pay the contract. The suit, which was filed in Middlesex Superior Court on March 19, contends that the Town Council illegally met in executive session (closed to the public) to discuss the contract. An that members exceeded their authority by not just voting on the town’s ability to pay the contract but whether it is comparable to other union’s agreements. Local 1347 – the Watertown fire union – wants to court to void the Council’s vote, require the Town Manager to resubmit a request to fund the arbitration award, and when the vote is retaken, they seek to have only the town’s “unencumbered funds” considered when decided if the town can afford the contract. Watertown firefighters have been without a contact since June 30, 2009.