Watertown Group Joins Organization Opposing Militarization of Police

A group from Watertown has joined a coalition of organizations opposing what they call militarization of law enforcement in the Boston area. Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice and the Environment has become part of STop Oppressive Militarized Police – STOMP. The group seeks to stop the “Police militarization” and “increased federal funding to state and local law enforcement for surveillance and repression” according to the STOMP Facebook page (click here to see the page). The group points to the lockdown in Watertown during the hunt for the Boston Marathon Bombing suspect is as one of the examples of militarization. STOMP will hold a community speak out and teach-in on May 4 in Boston.

See How the Watertown Boy’s Lacrosse Team Paid Tribute to Lt. Ed Walsh

Members of the Watertown High School boy’s lacrosse team took the field last week with a special honor for fallen Boston Firefighter and Watertown native Edward Walsh. The team all put the message “LT. EW 33” on a piece of athletic tape and put it on their helmets during the game against Belmont. Lt. Walsh graduated from Watertown High School in 1989 and worked on Boston Engine 33 when he died fighting a fire in the Back Bay. Click here to see a video about the tribute on NESN’s website.

Watertown Police Officer Recalls Facing the Marathon Bombing Suspects

Watertown Police Sgt. John MacLellan was the second officer to arrive at the intersection of Dexter Avenue and Laurel Street where police faced the armed and dangerous Boston Marathon Bombing suspects. MacLellan told WBZ Channel 4 that he will never forget what his fellow officers did that night. He also vowed never to be in a situation where he runs out of ammunition – as he did that night when facing down the Tsarnaev brothers. He now carries extra ammo, according to the WBZ report.

See Which Watertown Police Officers are Running the Marathon

A dozen Watertown Police officers, including Chief Edward Deveau, will be taking on the 26.2 miles of the Boston Marathon this year. A year after the bombings at the marathon finish line, and after the bombing suspects got into a shootout with Watertown Police and were ultimately stopped in town, a dozen of Watertown’s finest will run the race. The Police Department received special entries from the Boston Athletic Association, and 12 officers stepped up to the challenge. Deveau has run the race before, but not for a few years. The officers running (pictured above from left to right) are: Officer Thomas Dicker, Officer Brandon O’Neill, Lt. Daniel Unsworth, Det.

Finish Strong Road Race Heading Through Site of Watertown Shootout

In the early hours of April 19, 2013, the intersection of Dexter Avenue and Laurel Street was the scene of chaos and danger as the Watertown Police confronted the Boston Marathon Bombing suspects. A year later the area will be part of a community celebration. Participants in the Finish Strong 5K Road Race and Walk will go through the intersection on the anniversary of the shootout with and capture of the bombing suspects. The race is sponsored by the Watertown Police Supervisor’s Association and begins at 10 a.m. on April 19 at Tufts Health Plan, 705 Mt. Auburn St.

New Watertown Strong Flag Flying Over Watertown High School

A new bright red flag with the words “Watertown Strong” now flies on the flag pole at Watertown High School in honor of the work of the first responders on April 19, 2013.Thursday morning, the high school held a ceremony to honor the first responders and to celebrate the new flag. The idea for the new banner came from students in the Transitions to Success class at WHS. The students wanted to thank the Watertown Police and Watertown Fire departments for their work last April when they helped stop and capture the Boston Marathon Bombing suspects, said Superintendent Jean Fitzgerald. The class raised money for the flag, made by Lubin’s Trophy of Newton, by selling wrist bands. They also received a donation from the Watertown Fire and Police Memorial Golf Tournament.

Watertown Police Log: Expensive Sneakers Swiped, Driver Busted on OUI has Beer Cup in Car

The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department. An arrest does not indicate a conviction. Arrests

April 3, 10:31 p.m.: A driver spotted a car driving erratically on Walnut Street and noticed one of the tail lights was not working. The driver followed the car as it got onto Arsenal Street, drove into Boston, came back down Nonantum Road and drove onto California Street. Police pulled the erratic driver over and noticed that she had an empty plastic Bud Light cup on her seat.

See Why Dunkin Donuts was Closed Off

A man stopped to get some coffee at Dunkin Donuts on Mt. Auburn Street, but he the stop ended up being longer than he anticipated. Richard Corbett told WHDH Channel 7 that a woman rear ended his car, sending it into the Dunkin Donuts store on Thursday morning. The car and store suffered damages, but no body was injured. See more details and video from WHDH by clicking here.