Government

Budget Calls for More Police and Firefighters in Watertown

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Watertown will have more police officers and firefighters on duty with the Fiscal 2015 budget getting a boost from federal grants. The budget presented by Town Manger Michael Driscoll on Tuesday includes funding for a new police officer, as well as funding to cover the town’s matching portion for three positions funded by a grant. In May the Police Department will apply for the COPS (Community Oriented Policing Services) Hiring Program run by the U.S. Department of Justice. The federal grant covers 75 percent of the salary for a police officer for three years. The town covers the rest and must keep the officer on for at least a year after the program ends, Driscoll said.

Around Town

Woman’s ‘Shopping Spree’ Lands her in Back of Police Car

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An woman upset that she could not return merchandise to Target tried to take matters into her own hands, but ended up under arrest. On April 25, a woman went to the customer service desk at Target to try to return some items, but was told she could not because she did not have the receipt. The woman was not satisfied with that answer. “She said ‘If I don’t get the money I will still what I need,'” said Watertown Police Lt. Michael Lawn. “Then she walked through the store and took items off the shelf and tried to leave.”

Around Town

Watertown Police Log: Drunken Driver Strikes 3 Cars, Laptop Taken

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

April 15, 8:59 p.m.: A 52-year-old Watertown man was arrested on charges of simple assault, domestic assault and battery and on two outstanding warrants. He was arrested on Robert Ford Road. April 16, 4:48 p.m.: A 35-year-old Watertown man was arrested after an incident on Warren Street. He faces charges of domestic assault and battery on a person over age 60.

Police/Fire

Suit Filed Against Welders for Fire That Killed 2 Boston Firefighters

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Owners of the building where the fire that killed two Boston Firefighters – including a Watertown native – are suing the company that was doing welding on the site. The nine-alarm fire in the Back Bay killed two firefighters – Lt. Edward Walsh, who grew up in Watertown, and Firefighter Michael Kennedy – and injured many more. The suit was filed by an attorney for the estate of Michael J. Callahan which owns 298 Beacon St., targets the owners of 296 Beacon St., Oliver Realty LP; welding company D & J Iron Works of Malden; and company owner Guiseppe Falcone. The suit claims that the welders did not take proper precautions to prevent a fire and did not get a permit to do the work, according to a story on WCVB’s website (click here to see more). A witness said in an affidavit that he went to the area when he got report of the fire and that he saw welders packing up their truck and leaving the scene, according to a report in the Boston Herald.

Police/Fire

Timing Equipment Stolen from Watertown Police 5K Race

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Race organizers put down electronic timing equipment for the Finish Strong 5K Road Race on the anniversary of the Watertown Manhunt, but when they went  to retrieve it, the equipment was gone. The race raised money for charities that helped the Boston Marathon Bombing victims and local school and community groups. (Click here to find out more about the race). RaceWire, which ran the timing of the race organized by the Watertown Police Supervisor’s Association, had left a generator and red mats with bib timing devices in it on Arlington Street near Merrifield Avenue for the start of the road race, said Watertown Police Lt. Michael Lawn. “They went to set up the finish line, and when they went back it was gone,” Lawn said.

Police/Fire

Watertown Police Log: Shoplifters Busted and More

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

April 7, 10:02 p.m.: Police received information that a man wanted on a warrant was at a home on Sycamore Street. A 25-year-old Watertown man was arrested on a warrant out of Woburn District Court. April 8, 6:30 p.m.: A man was spotted at Stop & Shop on Watertown Street placing a large amount of groceries into a reusable bag and then tried to leave the store. The total value was $238.48.

Boston Marathon Bombing

Thousands Turn Out for Road Race on Anniversary of the Capture of the Bombing Suspect

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Thousands came out Saturday morning to celebrate the Watertown Strong Spirit during a 5K road race organized by the Watertown Police Department on the first anniversary of the stopping and capture of the Boston Marathon Bombing suspects. The Finish Strong Road Race and Walk was sponsored by the Watertown Police Supervisor’s Association and attracted people from around the Boston area, but had a particular Watertown Strong feeling. Gov. Deval Patrick spoke before the race and many other local dignitaries, including Dave Henberry, the man who alerted police to the second suspect being in his boat, also came out for the event.

Boston Marathon Bombing

Recalling the Watertown Shootout, Lockdown and Capture of the Bombing Suspect

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I awoke to the sound of “ping, ping, ping” on the early hours of April 19, 2013. Not the sound of gunfire, but the ringing of the email alert on my iPhone. After days of tragedy following the bombing I was emotionally pooped. That day I watched the inspiring words of President Obama during the Church Service for the bombing victims, and after days of knowing nothing about who had done this awful deed the FBI had released photos of the two men. There seemed to be some hope that they might catch the bombers, but no one seemed to know where they were.