Around Town

Free Activities, Movie & Food at Event Hosted by Watertown Police & Recreation Departments

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The Watertown Police and Recreation departments will host a family event with activities, music, food, followed by a movie on Tuesday, Aug. 5. National Night Out will take place on Aug. 5 from 5-8 p.m. at the park behind the Police Station 552 Main St., said Watertown Police Lt. Kevin McManus. “The Recreation Department has done a movie night with us, hosted out back (behind the station),” McManus said.

Police/Fire

Police Log: Man Exposes Himself in Movie Theater, Multiple Illegal Dumpings

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department. July 18: A woman entered Target and took $117.46 in clothing and other merchandise. She walked past the registers without paying and left. July 18: A couple was watching a movie at the Majestic 7 cinemas around 4 p.m. when a man in their row stood up and his shorts fell to the ground. He stood facing the rear corner of the theater.

Police/Fire

Watertown Police Department Welcomes Newest Officer

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New Watertown Police Officer Francis Yannizzi is sworn in by City Clerk Noelle Gilligan. (Photo by WPD)

The Watertown Police Department welcomed its newest officer on July 11, 2025. See the announcement posted on the WPD social media below. The Watertown Police Department proudly swore in Officer Francis Yannizzi as the newest member of our team. Officer Yannizzi brings 13 years of law enforcement experience to Watertown, having previously served with the Massachusetts Port Authority Police Department.

Police/Fire

Police Log: Driver Faces OUI Charge After Hit and Run, Shoplifter Busted

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department. July 10: A Pleasant Street resident received emails from Best Buy and Target saying that he had signed up for credit cards from the stores, but he had not opened them. Someone purchased Apple Air iPods from a Target in Massachusetts on the card. The resident was able to cancel the cards and is not sure how someone got his information. July 11: A woman was shopping at Target around 8 p.m. on July 10 and placed her phone in the child seat of a shopping carriage when she went through self checkout.

Police/Fire

Police Officers, Dispatcher Commended for Saving a Worker’s Life

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Watertown Police announced a special recognition for officers and a dispatcher who helped a man who suffered a serious injury after getting his arm caught in a machine. A 911 call was placed on July 9 at about 10:15 a.m. for a serious medical emergency at a business on Grove Street. “The caller, who was highly distraught, reported that a worker’s arm had become caught in a machine, resulting in a severe injury,” said the announcement from Watertown Police. Dispatcher Jessica Scully, “expertly calmed the caller, gathered critical details, and provided life-saving first aid instructions over the phone, including application of a tourniquet,” the announcement said. The Watertown Fire Department and EMS were called to the scene.

Police/Fire

Watertown Police Announce July’s Officer of the Month

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Officer Colton Bailey

The Watertown Police Department named the Officer of the Month for July 2025. See details in the WPD’s announcement below. Please join us in congratulating Officer Colton Bailey, who has been named the Watertown Police Department’s Officer of the Month for July. Officer Bailey has consistently demonstrated professionalism, initiative, and leadership while serving on C Platoon. Known for his proactive work ethic and commitment to public safety, he also serves as a mentor to newer officers, helping to build their skills and confidence.

Police/Fire

Four Arrested in by Watertown Police in Shoplifting Sting

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The Watertown Police Department ran a saturation patrol on Thursday focusing on stores often hit by shoplifters. The operation was one of a series of stings focused on shoplifting going back to April 2024. The WPD sent out the following announcement:

On June 26, 2025, Watertown Police conducted a saturation patrol operation at Arenal Yards and the Watertown Mall in an effort to prevent shoplifting. The operation resulted in four individuals being taken into custody on shoplifting-related charges, while one person was issued a trespassing order. The Watertown Police were assisted by the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office, the Suburban Middlesex County Drug Task Force, and store loss prevention personnel.

Police/Fire

Watertown’s First Police Officer of the Month Driving the WPD’s First Electric Police Car

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Watertown Police Chief Justin Hanrahan stands next to the new Mustang Mark E electric vehicle, which is being driven in June by Officer Mike Hill. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

There’s a sleek new Watertown Police cruiser on the roads these days: an all-electric Ford Mustang. The Mustang Mark E is the first EV in the WPD’s fleet, said Police Chief Justin Hanrahan, and he is giving the opportunity to be the first drivers to the Watertown Police Department’s Officer of the Month. For the month of June 2025, the Mustang is being driven by Officer Mike Hill. “It’s sporty,” Hill said.