Immigrants

Watertown Police Close to Releasing Policy on Working with Immigrants

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Watertown Police Chief Michael Lawn told those attending the Unity Breakfast Monday morning that this week the Watertown Police will release its policy for working with immigrants, and it will stress seeking to help and protect people regardless of citizenship. For the second year in a row, the event that celebrates the life and work of Martin Luther King Jr. was the forum for Lawn to address how police work with immigrants in Watertown. Last year, just before the inauguration of Donald Trump, Lawn assured immigrants that they should not be fearful of the Watertown Police. Monday, the chief repeated some of his words from last year. “What I want people to know is that we are here to help you in Watertown,” Lawn said, quoting his speech from last year.

Police/Fire

40 Watertown Youngsters Get to Shop With a Cop at Target

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The aisles at Target were full of police officers Thursday evening, but they were not there looking for a suspect. Members of the Watertown and Boston police departments helped youngsters pick out some gifts during the Heroes and Helpers event sponsored by the store. The program has been going on for several years, said Valerie Guite, executive team leader of asset protection the Target at the Watertown Mall. “This is the fifth year and it is the biggest year yet,” Guite said. “A total of 40 Watertown children and 20 from Boston got a $50 gift card to shop with police.”

Letters

LETTER: Residents Get Inside Look at Police Department During Citizen’s Academy

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Fellow Watertown Residents …

We are a group of Watertown residents who have just completed the Citizen’s Policy Academy, offered by the Watertown Police Department. We want to express our thanks for this opportunity to experience the Watertown Police Department from the inside – through class presentations by Department staff, touring the Station and even riding with Patrol Officers on active duty. During this eight-session course we were able to meet and engage with Officers, Detectives, and Command Staff from all four divisions (Patrol, Traffic, Detective, Community & Staff Development). We learned about the capabilities and operations of the Department, and have gained a new awareness and understanding of the dedication, duties, and skills of the men and women who serve our community. One particular highlight was the demonstration of the firearms training simulation.

Charity

Watertown Toy Drive Gets Help from Local Chef, Needs More Assistance This Year

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The effort to make sure that every child in town receives a gift for Christmas, one organized by members of the Watertown Police and Fire departments, got a helping hand from one of Watertown’s culinary stars, and the drive needs an extra hand this year. 

On Monday afternoon, Chef Mike Fucci presented a check for $1,000 to the Whooley Foundation, the group that organizes the toy drive in town during the holidays each year. Fucci, who runs Chef Mike’s Kitchen and has been featured multiple times on Food Network, does a lot of work for charities, especially during the holidays. He will be cooking a meal for 1,000 people at the New England Center and Home for Veterans later this month. This is the first year, however, that he has donated to the Whooley Foundation. “I didn’t know about the toy drive, otherwise I would have done it a lot sooner,” Fucci said.

Police/Fire

Watertown Police Arrest Major Drug Dealer After Long Investigation

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Watertown Police, working with the Suburban Middlesex County Drug Task Force, arrested a 39-year-old town resident suspected of dealing narcotics in the area. 

The Watertown Police Detective Division executed a search warrant at 44C Robert Ford Road on Nov. 15, 2017, and discovered narcotics, cash, a firearm, ammunition and brass knuckles, according to Watertown Police Lt. James O’Connor. The arrest of Jason Alberto Dalencar, 39, of Watertown was the result of a six-month investigation. “Jason Dalencar was believed to be a major supplier of narcotics in Watertown,
Waltham, and Newton,” O’Connor said. The narcotics are the prescription opioid oxycodone.

Police/Fire

Watertown Police Running Compliance Checks of Establishments Serving Alcohol

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The Watertown Police Department announced it will be conducting annual Alcohol Compliance Checks of all licensed establishments beginning in November 2017 through November 2018. 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).

Police/Fire

Headstones, Monument Damaged by Vandal at Cemetery in Watertown

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A statue and several headstones were damaged by a vandal at St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Watertown. The damage was discovered on Tuesday evening at about 7 p.m., and Watertown Police are investigating. “It was reported by someone who frequents the cemetery,” said Watertown Police Lt. James O’Connor. “The person called up reporting vandalism at the cemetery.”

Police/Fire

Updated: Police Seeking Identity of Woman Who Stole Wallet at Russo’s

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Update: Watertown Police announced on Nov. 3 that they had identified the woman. Original story:

Watertown Police seek help identifying a woman suspected of taking a wallet from Russo’s. 

On Oct. 24 at 4:45 p.m. a woman reported that her wallet had been taken from the market on Pleasant Street. The woman mistakenly left her wallet in a shopping carriage when she was putting her groceries into her vehicle. When she realized what she had done she returned to the store, but the wallet was gone, according to Watertown Police Lt. James O’Connor.