Police/Fire

Watertown Police Announce Promotions to Captain, Lieutenant and Sergeant

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Three Watertown Police officers received promotions: Mark Lewis, far left, Ken Swift, second from right, and Joseph Farrar, far right. They are pictured with Police Chief Justin Hanrahan, center, and City Manager George Proakis, second from left. (Courtesy of Watertown Police)

Three Watertown Police officers received promotions this week during a ceremony at the Watertown Police Station. See more details in the announcement from the WPD, below. Chief Justin Hanrahan is pleased to announce the promotions of Kenneth Swift to Captain, Mark Lewis to Lieutenant, and Joseph Farrar to Sergeant, effective Thursday, June 11, 2026.

Government

New Middle School Moves a Step Closer to Reality; Council Approves Funds for Parks Projects

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A vision of what a new Watertown Middle School could look like created by Ai3 Architects and presented to the School Committee in October 2025. The possibility of building a new Middle School in Watertown moved a step closer to becoming a reality at Tuesday’s City Council meeting. The Council also approved funding for projects at City parks, the library, Police Station, and for Watertown’s Treaty Day celebration. On June 9, the Council approved a $3 million transfer of funds from the Middle School Stabilization Fund to pay for the design development of a possible Middle School. City Manager George Proakis stressed that the Council is still deciding whether or not to proceed with the project.

Police/Fire

Watertown Police Respond to Online Threat at Perkins School

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Perkins School for the BlindThe Howe Building at Perkins School for the Blind. Police responded to an online threat directed at Perkins School for the Blind on Thursday, May 21. The Watertown Police sent out a statement about the incident. Read it below. This morning , The Watertown Police Department became aware of a past threat involving Perkins School.

Police/Fire

Incident in East Watertown Cemetery “Not Criminal in Nature”

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The gate to the Catholic Mount Auburn Cemetery was blocked by police tape Friday as law enforcement investigated an incident (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

An incident that drew dozens of police from multiple agencies was “not criminal in nature,” according to the Middlesex District Attorney’s office. Watertown News contacted Watertown Police and Massachusetts State Police after residents reported seeing police activity in the area of the Catholic Mount Auburn Cemetery on Friday. Neighbors also said they heard what might have been a gunshot or gunshots. Inquiries to law enforcement agencies were referred to the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office. Spokeswoman Meghan Kelly did not provide details, but said: “The incident was not criminal in nature, there is no foul play suspected and no public safety risk.”

Government

Watertown Police Could Get Drone; Department is Nearly Fully Staffed; Officer’s Will Get AI App

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A drone will likely be the latest high-tech addition to the Watertown Police Department, but the City Council had questions about where data collected will be stored and who will have access. Watertown Police Chief Justin Hanrahan described the budget request during the May 6 Fiscal Year 2027 budget hearing. He also talked about staffing and a new AI program that will be used by WPD officers. The drone, which costs $49,396, would be dispatched to an area where a crime or incident like an auto accident is reported, Hanrahan said. “You can get to pretty much anywhere in the City in two minutes, and it’ll give us real time live feed of what’s taking place,” Hanrahan said.

Around Town

Watertown Police Holding Rape Aggression Defense Classes

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The following information came from the Watertown Police Department:

The Watertown Police Department is offering the R.A.D. (Rape Aggression Defense) Women’s Self-Defense Program from June 8-11, 2026, at 5:30-8:30 p.m.

This program is open to women ages 18 and older and includes hands-on self-defense training focused on risk awareness, prevention, and realistic physical defense techniques. Participants will learn practical tactics and concepts designed to build confidence and personal safety awareness. Registration is now open! To register, call 617-600-1306 or email WPDtraining@police.watertown-ma.gov

Around Town

You’re Invited to Raider’s Birthday Party, the WPD’s Comfort Dog is Turning 2

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Raider, the Watertown Police Department’s comfort dog when he was a puppy, with Officer Anna Margaryan. (Courtesy of the City of Watertown)

Raider, the Watertown Police Department’s comfort dog, will be celebrating his second birthday, and the public is invited to the party. See details provided by the WPD, below. Guess Who’s Turning 2? In honor of Autism Awareness Month, join us in celebrating Raider’s second Birthday on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at the Watertown Police Department, 552 Main St.

Police/Fire

Police Log: 2 Arrests for Trying to Cash Fraudulent Checks, Man Busted for Exposing Himself

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department. March 1: Officers were dispatched to the Municipal Parking lot off Spring Street and encountered a woman. They checked her information and discovered she was wanted on a fugitive from justice warrant out of New Hampshire for possession of a controlled substance. While police were doing an inventory of the contents of her vehicle they found some pills and illegal drugs. Officer Colton Bailey arrested Jill Clarke, 41, of Waltham, on the warrant as well as charges of possession of a Class C drug and possession of a Class E drug.