Boston Marathon Bombing

In Aftermath of Watertown Shootout, Police Created Group to Help Officers Deal with on the Job Stress

By |

Thursday, April 19, 2018, marked the fifth anniversary of the day that Watertown Police faced the Boston Marathon Bombers in a shootout on the streets of East Watertown, but at the Watertown Police Station there was little fanfare to mark the day. 

“It’s another day at work, here,” said Police Chief Michael Lawn, who added that officers were treated to breakfast by H & K Insurance. The department’s roster of uniformed personnel in 2018 includes all the officers involved in the shootout five years ago, Lawn said, despite the fact that they faced suspects armed with guns and pressure-cooker bombs in action that lasted about eight minutes. Nationally, officers involved in shooting while on duty have a much higher rate of leaving the job, but Watertown has managed to beat the odds. “Why? Who’s to say?”

FBI

Watertown Police Lieutenant Returns from FBI Training With New Knowledge and a Brick

By |

For decades, Watertown Police Lt. James O’Connor has had the goal of attending the FBI’s National Academy, and this year he finally got the chance to be one of the select few members of law enforcement to attend the course. After the intense 10-week program one of the most prize possessions he returned home with was a brick covered in yellow paint sitting on a wooden stand. Just one percent of the nation’s local, county and state law enforcement officers get the chance to attend the National Academy at the FBI Training Academy in Quantico, Virginia. O’Connor was part of a class of 223 people from 48 states and 18 countries outside the U.S.

O’Connor, a Watertown native, first heard about the National Academy when he was a young police. “I have a friend who went through it, and I went to visit him (at the Academy) in 1997,” O’Connor said.

Police/Fire

Four Face Charges After Teenagers Brawl on Street in Watertown

By |

A disagreement got out of hand and a group of teens and young 20-somethings got into a massive fight, which sent two to the hospital. Four of those involved face criminal charges. 

On March 19 at 2 a.m. a Watertown Police officer was flagged down on Belmont Street near St. Patrick’s Cemetery by a man who said he was jumped by a group of people who were seen running down Ralph Street. At the same time police received 911 calls reporting a fight in the same area. Four people in their late teens were located and they said that they had been attacked by another group of teens.

Police/Fire

Suspects in Watertown Shooting Held Without Bail; Incident was a Drug Robbery Gone Wrong

By |

The two suspects in a shooting, which left a Watertown man hospitalized, were denied bail on Friday. Police said the incident started as a robbery of a drug dealer, who got shot when he tried to fight off the suspects. Friday afternoon at Waltham District Court,  Middlesex Judge Sarah Ellis ruled that Carlos Castillo, 19, of Boston, and Randall Glenn, 21, of Randolph, pose a danger to the victim and the community, and ordered them held without bail until trial. Both suspects face charges of armed assault in a dwelling, assault and battery with a firearm, aggravated assault and battery with a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily injury, possession of a firearm without a license, and possession of a loaded firearm. On Feb.

Police/Fire

Watertown Police Promote One Officer to Lieutenant, One to Sergeant

By |

The Watertown Police Department promoted two of its officers this week in a ceremony at the Police Station. Watertown Police Chief Michael Lawn officially announced the promotions – one to lieutenant and one to sergeant – at a ceremony that was also attended by Town Manager Michael Driscoll. Chief Lawn sent out the following announcement:
Chief Michael Lawn is pleased to announce the promotion of Sgt. Wayne Hoiseth to the position of Lieutenant and Officer Thomas Dicker to the position of Sergeant.  The ceremony took place on Monday Feb. 26, 2018 at 4 p.m. in the Community Room of the Police Department.

Police/Fire

Man Shot in Watertown Shows Up at Hospital; Police, DA Investigating

By |

A man suffering from gunshot wounds was dropped off at Mt. Auburn Hospital on Saturday night, and a home was searched in connection to the incudent. The hospital contacted WPD at about 10:15 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 24, 2018, to report a man in his early 20s had been dropped off with multiple gunshot wounds, according to a statement released Sunday afternoon by the Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan’s office. The man was transported to a Boston area hospital where he was reportedly in serious condition, according to the DA’s Office’s statement. Police conducted a search related to the shooting.

Charity

Registration Open for Watertown Police Finish Strong 5K Run/Walk

By |

Once again this year the Watertown Police Department will host a 5K run and walk to commemorate the anniversary of the events that led to the capture of the Boston Marathon bombing suspects. 

The Watertown Police Finish Strong 5k Run/Walk begins at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, April 29, 2018 starting and finishing at Tufts Health Plan 705 Mount Auburn Street in Watertown. Mission: The Watertown Police Relief Association, Watertown Supervisors Association and Watertown Patrol officers Association will commemorate the 5th anniversary of the events that led to the capture of the Boston Marathon bombing suspects by inviting the community to fill the streets of Watertown in a 5K celebratory road race and walk.Proceeds to benefit the WPRA, WPSA and the WPA. Proceeds from this event will benefit the WPSA, local charity & victim funds, One Fund, Watertown Police Foundation and the new foundation to support youth community programming and school safety initiatives

Course: The course is fast and fairly flat 3.1 miles (5k). Prizes to top male/female finishers plus various age categories. Runners and walkers welcome and for safety purposes, no skateboards, rollerblades/skates, bicycles, or animals can be taken on the course.

Immigrants

Watertown Police Close to Releasing Policy on Working with Immigrants

By |

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.