Police/Fire

Dorchester Man Busted for Breaking Into Cars in Watertown, Belmont

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A Dorchester man faces charges of breaking into cars in Watertown and Belmont after an alleged crime spree on July 7. At 7:43 a.m. on July 7, Watertown Police received reports of car break ins on Appleton Street and also Summer Street, said Watertown Police Lt. Michael Lawn. One car in a driveway on Appleton Street had a lottery ticket stolen from inside and a wallet with a driver’s license, cash and credit cards was missing from a second car. Some of the items taken from the car was found on a driveway down the street. While the officer was on Appleton Street, he was sent to Summer Street for another car break in.

Police/Fire

Police Log: Man Caught Stealing Tire of Car, Police Arrest Man for Cocaine Possession

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department. Arrests

June 23, 2:09 a.m.: An officer spotted a grey minivan run a red light at Nonantum Road and Galen Street and then run the light at Watertown and California streets. The officer pulled the minivan over and detected an odor of alcohol on the driver’s breath. Field sobriety tests were given and the 28-year-old Newton man was arrested on charges of driving under the influence of alcohol, unlicensed driving and to counts of failing to stop. June 23, 7:07 a.m.: Police arrested a 33-year-old Watertown man on a warrant from Waltham District Court for intimidating a witness and malicious destruction of property.

Around Town

Boston Will Name Playground After Fallen Firefighters, Including Ed Walsh

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The two Boston firefighters killed in a blaze in March, including Watertown-native Edward Walsh, will be honored by having a tot lot in West Roxbury dedicated in their names. Boston Mayor Marty Walsh will reopen the Billings Field playground at 369 LaGrange Street in West Roxbury on Saturday, July 26, at 10 a.m. The tot lot will be named for Walsh, a fire lieutenant, and Firefighter Michael Kennedy, who died in a 9-alarm fire in the Back Bay. The nearly $500,000 playground improvement project includes the Lt. Edward Walsh and Firefighter Michael Kennedy Tot Lot which will include two new fire truck panels to be placed in the 2 to 5-year-old and 5 to 12-year-old play areas. The panels resemble the front of a fire truck and are adorned with the Boston Fire Department logo and the names of Engine 33 and Ladder 15, as well as interactive elements such as steering wheels and a fire bell. Two park benches will also be named in Walsh and Kennedy’s honor.

Police/Fire

Man Attacked, Robbed While Walking Through Arsenal Park at Night

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A man was attacked and robbed by three men while he walked through Arsenal Park on the evening of July 1. 

Police received a call at 9:28 p.m. from the victim, a 28-year-old man from Newton, who went over to the IHOP on Soldiers Field Road after the attack. “The victim was visibly shaken and had lacerations on both knees and had pain on his head and back,” said Watertown Police Lt. Michael Lawn. The man left work at the Arsenal Project and said he walked through nearby Arsenal Park. “He was struck from behind and knocked to the ground,” Lawn said. “He was kicked in the midsection and was attacked by 3-4 black males, possibly wearing backpacks.”

Police/Fire

Police Log: Driver Nearly Strikes Police Cruiser, Shoplifter Eludes Target Security

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department. Arrests

June 16, 9:20 p.m.: A 35-year-old Waltham man was arrested on a charge of domestic assault and battery. June 19, 12:33 p.m.: Target security spotted a woman take several items and tried to leave the store. The merchandise was worth $67.97. The 38-year-old woman from Clinton was arrested on a charge of shoplifting.

Around Town

Good Samaritan Law Allows Reporting of Heroin Overdoses Without Being Arrested

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The number of overdoses from Heroin and other opiates has risen sharply in the last few years in Watertown, and a local group wants to spread the word that reporting an overdose is important and those doing so won’t be prosecuted. The exact number is not known, but people tracking overdoses get an idea from the number of deaths. From 2010-13, 19 people in Watertown died from drug related causes and there are 11 more deaths where the cause may be related to drug, said Stephanie Sunderland-Ramsey, a program coordinator with Wayside Youth and Family Support Network in Watertown. Watertown has teamed with Cambridge, Somerville and Everett to work on opiate abuse. They helped the Watertown Fire Department get anti-overdose medication – Narcan – which is now carried on all fire vehicles.

Police/Fire

Police Log: Man Stole Cash from Co-Worker; Man Pulled off Bus, Arrested

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department. Arrests

June 9, 1:16 p.m.: Detectives spotted a man they knew to have a warrant out for his arrest getting on a bus on Arsenal Street. They stopped the bus and removed the man. The 31-year-old man from Watertown was arrested on a warrant from Charlestown District Court for a drug violation. June 9, 1:20 p.m.: Police arrested a 26-year-old Watertown man was arrested on domestic assault and battery charges.

Government

Grant Will Provide Watertown Firefighters With New Set of Protective Gear

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Watertown firefighters will have a new set protective clothing to fight fires thanks to a federal grant awarded recently. Last week, Watertown Fire Chief Mario Orangio received notification that the Watertown Fire Department will receive $186,750, or 90 percent of the cost of purchasing a new set of “turnout gear,” through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG). “I am pleased to report that our application to the AFG equipment program has been awarded,” Orangio said. “This award allows us to purchase 83 new sets of gear replacing some as old as 10 years.” The town will have to provide the remaining 10 percent of the cost, $20,750, Orangio said.