Break ins

Two Watertown Homes Broken Into, An Attempted Break In On a Third

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Watertown Police warn residents to be on alert after two Watertown homes were broken into, and someone tried to break into another. The break ins occurred on Barnard Avenue, Common Street and Lovell Road, from Thursday into Friday, according to Watertown Police Department. “These incidents occurred between the hours of 4:30 p.m.-10:30 p.m. No one was home at the time of the breaks,” a Watertown Police press release said. Anyone who saw something suspicious or who has information about the break ins should contact the Watertown Police at 617-972-6500.

Police/Fire

Police Seek Witness Who Saw Man Taking Photos of Kids at the Faire on the Square

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Watertown Police are investigating a man who allegedly took suspicious photos of multiple children at the Faire on the Square. They seek to speak to a witness who reported the incident, but who left before officers spoke to her. The Watertown Police sent out the following statement:
On Saturday, September 22, at approximately 1:20 p.m. while at the Faire of the Square, an unknown adult female, reported to a uniformed officer that she had witnessed a person taking suspicious photos of children at the Faire. The witness told police that she observed an adult male taking pictures using a tablet device of children while the children were using a slide. The report was made to an officer who was standing near the Municipal Parking Lot (Library parking lot).

Police/Fire

Watertown Police Department Welcomes Six New Officers

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The Watertown Police Department has half a dozen new police officers patrolling the streets after the WPD’s latest recruits were sworn in on Thursday afternoon. Police Chief Michael Lawn welcomed the new officers: Megan Murphy, Kyle Rooney, Don Pham, Lauren Giordano, Michael Del Russo and Colin Geaghan. All six made it through the WPD’s vetting process, including numerous interviews, a background investigation, physical and psychological testing. Then they attended a 24-week Police Academy. The new officers have already experienced an intense situation.

Middlesex District Attorney

Middlesex DA, Watertown Police Investigating Death of Infant in Watertown

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Watertown first responders went to a call Thursday afternoon for an unresponsive infant, who was taken to hospital where she was pronounced dead. The cause of death is being investigated by the Chief Medical Examiner’s office. All child deaths are investigated, according to the DA’s office. Local news channels reported police activity near the Strawberry Childcare Center in the former Parker School. Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan and Watertown Police Chief Michael Lawn sent out the following announcement:
Today at 2:16 p.m. Watertown Police responded to a 911 call regarding an unresponsive infant on Watertown Street in Watertown.

Police/Fire

Police: Motorcycle Owners Be Aware, Thieves Targeting Specific Brand of Bike

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Watertown Police warn that two identical types of motorcycles were stolen from outside homes in town last week. 

On the evening of Aug. 24 into the 25th, two red Ducati Hypermotard motorcycles were stolen, according to Watertown Police Sgt. Thomas Grady. Both were 2013 models. “Residents are advised to make sure their motorcycles are locked up and properly secured,” Grady said.

Police/Fire

Watertown Police Looking for Residents for Citizen Police Academy

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This fall, the Watertown Police Department will once again host the Citizen Police Academy, and residents are invited to register. The 2018 Citizen Police Academy will begin on Tuesday, Sept. 18, and will run one night a week for eight weeks from 6:30-9:30 p.m. Applications must be received by Sept. 10, 2018. Watertown Police Chief Michael Lawn sent out the following letter:
As the Watertown Police Department advances its community policing efforts, it is important to have citizen-police interaction and cooperation.

Police/Fire

Watertown Police Officer Signs Off for Last Time, Hear His Police Radio Farewell

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Watertown Police Officer David Gilchrist did not want a big deal made about his last shift before retirement, so his fellow officers gave him a final farewell via the Police Radio. Gilchrist, who worked on the overnight shift his entire career, completed his last shift Wednesday morning after serving the residents of Watertown for more than 32 years. The Watertown Police captured this moment and shared it on its Facebook page. See and hear it below:

Police/Fire

Watertown Police Department will be Assessed for Re-Accreditation

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Chief Michael Lawn is pleased to announce that a team of assessors from the Massachusetts Police Accreditation Commission is scheduled to arrive on June 26, 2018, to begin examining various aspects of the Watertown Police Department’s policies and procedures, operations and facilities. Verification by the Assessment Team that the Department meets the Commission’s standards is part of a voluntary process to gain state Accreditation — a self-initiated evaluation process by which police departments strive to meet and maintain standards that have been established for the profession, by the profession. The Massachusetts Police Accreditation Program consists of 257 mandatory standards as well as 125 optional standards. In order to achieve accreditation status, the Department must meet all applicable mandatory standards as well as 75 of the optional standards. Achieving Accreditation is a highly prized recognition of law enforcement professional excellence.