Police/Fire

Watertown Youths Learn What It’s Like to be a Firefighter

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A cadet in the Middlesex Youth Public Safety Academy uses the fire hose as at Saltonstall Park. Holding tightly to a real fire hose, a young camper from the Middlesex Sheriff’s Youth Public Safety Academy shot a wide stream of water hundreds of feet across the field at Saltonstall Park on Wednesday morning. The Watertown Fire Department welcomed 31 youngsters from town to show them what it is like to be a firefighter. The campers are part of the week-long summer camp, and later in the day they stopped by the Watertown Police Station to learn about what police officers do. Watertown Fire Capt. Bob Power helps a camper use a fire hose.

Police Log

Police Log: Stolen Minivan Found in Town, Man Caught Trying to Scheme Home Depot

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

July 1, 1:16 a.m.: An officer in Watertown Square saw a man who appeared to be sleeping in the ATM vestibule at Santander Bank in Watertown Square. The officer woke the man and spoke to him. It was discovered that the man had a warrant for his arrest. The 61-year-old homeless man was arrested on the default warrant from Waltham District court for failure to pay court fines and costs.

Police/Fire

Watertown Helps Collect More than 100 Guns in Sheriff’s Buyback Program

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Some of the weapons collected in Watertown and Belmont in the MIddlesex Sheriff’s gun buyback in June. The following information was provided by the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office:

One hundred twenty unwanted guns and ammunition were exchanged for gift cards to local stores and restaurants over four Saturdays of the “Safer Homes, Safer Communities” Eastern Middlesex County Regional Gun Buyback initiative, officials announced. The initiative – held June 8-29 – was a collaborative effort of the Arlington, Belmont, Cambridge, Newton and Watertown police departments, in conjunction with the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office as well as faith- and community-based partners. This was the second regional buyback held in Middlesex County since 2016, with a total of 270 weapons exchanged for gift cards during the two regional initiatives. “I want to thank all our partners for their leadership in this area, and allowing us to continue to support these important community-based efforts,” said Middlesex Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian. “Offering residents these opportunities to safely remove unwanted and unsecured guns reduces the chances of theft or accidental discharge, making our homes and our communities safer.”

Included among the 120 guns accepted on the days of the events was a loaded .22-caliber pistol in Newton. The individual disposing of the gun was unaware that it was loaded.

Break In

Thieves Break Into Watertown Bicycle Store, Take Two Bikes

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A Watertown bicycle store was broken into, and two electric bicycles were taken. Watertown Police were called to Farina’s on Galen Street on July 6 at 10:12 p.m. for a break-in, said Watertown Police Sgt. Thomas Grady. The front door appeared to have been forced open. The locking mechanism was in place, but the doors were found open, Grady said.

Arrests

Police Log: Eversource Scam, Argument Turns into Physical Encounter

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

June 24, 10:10 a.m.: Officers encountered a woman on Arsenal Street near Irving Street and while speaking with her they found that she had four outstanding warrants for her arrest. The 47-year-old homeless woman was arrested on the warrants: three from Cambridge District Court, two for violating a harassment prevention order, and the third for violation of a harassment prevention order and criminal harassment; the fourth warrant was from Brighton District Court for possession of a Class B drug. June 27, 5:23 a.m.: Police patrolling on foot on the Community Path — the bike and pedestrian path behind Target — encountered a man who they discovered was wanted on two warrants. The 33-year-old Boston man was arrested on the warrants, both from Quincy District Court.

Around Town

Middlesex Sheriff’s Office Gets Grant to Expand Youth Program

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A Youth Public Safety Academy cadet salutes a sheriff’s deputy and Middlesex Sheriff Peter Koutoujian, right. The following information was provided by the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office:

The Middlesex Sheriff’s Office Youth Public Safety Academy (YPSA) will be able to expand its capacity by as many as 100 cadets this summer thanks to a $23,000 grant from the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS), Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian announced. “Nearly 1,200 youngsters have applied to YPSA this year, and the continuing success of the camp comes from our terrific partnerships with our fellow law enforcement and government agencies,” said Sheriff Koutoujian.  “Thanks to the Baker Administration and EOPSS, we will be able to hire two extra counselors and purchase the additional equipment necessary to accept 100 more cadets over the course of the summer.  This grant will make a real difference in the lives of these youngsters who may not otherwise be able to attend YPSA.”

This marks the second consecutive year the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office (MSO) has been awarded the grant through the Commonwealth’s Law Enforcement and Youth Partnerships Summer Day Program.  The initiative, administered by EOPSS, is designed to support summer recreational and educational learning opportunities with local law enforcement. “We are honored to partner with the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office to allow more young people to take part in this valuable program,” said Secretary of Public Safety and Security Thomas Turco. “Creating strong, positive relationships between law enforcement and the community is a priority for us and one that is clearly shared by Sheriff Koutoujian and his team.”

YPSA is a week-long camp designed for children ages 8-12 who live in Middlesex County.

Police/Fire

Police Log: Man Caught with Meth & Pills, Driver Unsuccessfully Tries to Evade Officers

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

June 18, 7:43 a.m.: A man came into the Police Station because he believed he had a warrant for his arrest. Officers confirmed that the man was wanted on a warrant from Waltham District Court from 1992. The 51-year-old man from West Valley, Utah, was arrested on a total of four warrants from Waltham District Court, Cambridge District Court and Stoughton District Court. June 20, 8:42 a.m.: Police responded to a call for a man who was trespassing at the Watertown Housing building on Waverley Avenue.

Police/Fire

Watertown Police Arrest Armed Robbery Suspect Who has a Prior Record

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Joseph Boyda, 44, of Worcester, was arrested in connection with an armed robbery in Watertown. Watertown Police arrested a Worcester man for the armed robbery of a hair salon on Wednesday. Police located Joseph Boyda, 44, and place him under arrest on Thursday for armed robbery while masked. He was arraigned in Waltham District Court on Friday, said Watertown Police Lt. James O’Connor. On Wednesday at about 7 p.m., Boyda allegedly robbed the Behind the Hair salon on Main Street in Watertown while wearing a mask and sunglasses.