Arrests

Man Talks Himself into an Arrest During Traffic Stop

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A Billerica man talked his way into being arrested after a car he was riding in was pulled over in Watertown. On May 1 at 8:48 p.m., an officer on Arsenal Street by Irving Street noticed a smell of marijuana coming from a vehicle, and also saw a haze of smoke inside, said Watertown Police Lt. James O’Connor. The vehicle had a driver and two passengers, and the officer noticed the passengers were not wearing their seatbelts. The office pulled the vehicle over and asked for everyone inside to provide their IDs. The driver and the passenger in the rear seat complied, but the one in the front seat did not.

Galen Street

UPDATED: Two-Alarm Fire Strikes Watertown Restaurant

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A two-alarm blaze damaged the New Ginza restaurant on Galen Street Thursday morning. The fire started in the kitchen of the Japanese restaurant where workers were starting to cook, said Watertown Fire Capt. Bill Maietta. He said some oil caught fire and spread. “The kitchen took a big hit,” Maietta said. “The bulk of the fire was around the stove, and it went through the vents and made it to the roof.”

Around Town

Scams Aimed at Seniors the Topic of Local Cable Show, Inside Watertown

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Watertown Senior Center Director Anne-Marie Gagnon, far right, and Watertown Police Det. Patty Grady, second from right, appeared on “Inside Watertown” to talk abut scams aimed at seniors and others. The latest episode of Inside Watertown tackles of the subject of scams, many of which are aimed at older members of our community. Members of the Watertown Police Department and Senior Center Director Ann-Marie Gagnon spoke with co-hosts Charlie Breitrose and Bob Airasian during the episode of the Watertown Cable show. Gagnon said she has heard more conversations at the Senior Center about people being scammed or worried about becoming a victim.

Arrests

Police Log: Driver Busted for OUI, Numerous Vehicles Broken Into

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

April 17, 9:39 p.m.: An officer patrolling on Arsenal Street spotted a blue Jeep with a defective taillight. The vehicle also weaved around the lane. The vehicle was pulled over and the officer detected signs that the woman driving was under the influence of alcohol, including and odor of alcohol. Field sobriety tests were given and the officer determined the driver was under the influence of alcohol.

Government

Increases for Police, Fire, Schools Library & DPW Included in Watertown’s FY2020 Budget

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Watertown Town Manager Michael Driscoll revealed the Fiscal Year 2020 budget on Tuesday. Next year’s Watertown Budget includes money for an additional police office, a new leadership role in the Fire Department, and at the Library. Tuesday night, Town Manager Michael Driscoll presented the Fiscal Year 2020 budget to the Town Council. The total operating budget is $147.76 million, which is an increase of 3.89 percent or $5.53 million. When Driscoll presented the budget projection in October, there was a shortfall of about $800,000, but Tuesday he said the Town’s revenues came in close to $1.5 million above the projections.

Alcohol Compliance Checks

Watertown Police to Conduct Annual Alcohol Compliance Checks

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department:

The Watertown Police Department will be conducting annual Alcohol Compliance Checks of all licensed establishments beginning in May 2019 through April 2020. These compliance checks are conducted to ensure that all licensed establishments follow and comply with all rules and regulations pertaining to the safe service and sale of alcohol in our community. This notice is made in accordance with department alcohol compliance policy and with the recommendation of the ABCC (Alcohol Beverage Control Commission).

Arrests

Police Log: Man Falsifies Inspection Sticker, Bus Rider Who Fell Asleep Arrested on Warrant

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

April 8, 10:40 a.m.: An officer monitoring traffic on North Beacon Street ran the plate of a vehicle and found that the owner had a warrant for his arrest. The vehicle was stopped and the officer confirmed the owner was driving. The 42-year-old Brockton man was arrested on the warrant from Quincy District Court for multiple motor vehicle violations. April 8, 2:26 p.m.: A man was seen placing groceries into a reusable shopping bag at Stop & Shop on Watertown Street, and leaving the store without paying.

Around Town

Former Watertown Police Chief Honored for Work After Marathon Bombings

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Former Watertown Police Chief Edward Deveau received an award for his work after the Boston Marathon Bombings. Here he spoke with the Town Council. Former Watertown Police Chief Edward Deveau received an award from the Heather Abbott Foundation for his work after the Boston Marathon Bombings in 2013. Deveau received the Helping Hand award at a banquet on Sunday hosted by the foundation. The award is presented “to somebody who has made a big impact on the foundation.”

The Heather Abbott Foundation helps provide customized prostheses to those who have suffered limb loss through traumatic circumstances, according to its website.