Police/Fire

Watertown Police Chief Says Texting While Driving is “a Big Problem”

By |

One of the biggest safety concerns for Watertown Police Chief Michael Lawn these days is people texting while driving, and he said he would like to see the state change the laws regarding cellphone use. 

In many states drivers are not allowed to pick up their phone for any reason, but that is not the case in Massachusetts. “I don’t know why we are not hands free,” Lawn said when he appeared before the Town Council for the Police Department’s budget hearing. “(Texting while driving) is a big problem.” Texting while driving is illegal in Massachusetts, but Lawn noted that drivers can pick up their phone to make a phone call, so it can be difficult to prove what they were doing while holding their phones. “I’m a proponent …

Police/Fire

Watertown Police Emphasizing Building Relationships in Community

By |

When Watertown Police officers are on patrol, Police Chief Michael Lawn wants them to get to know the people in town and form relationships in the areas where they patrol. 

This is part of the Watertown Police Department’s emphasis on community policing, Lawn to the Town Council at Saturday’s budget hearing. “I tell them, I want you to get out of your car and talk to people,” Lawn said. “You are not starting a new program or making speeches, but talk to people.” As one example, he pointed to Sgt. John MacLellan, who one afternoon bought a bunch of big lollipops and gave them to a group of kids in East Watertown.

Fiscal 2018 Budget

Town Manager Unveils FY2018 Budget Which Includes Five New Positions

By |

The Fiscal Year 2018 Watertown budget presented by Town Manager Michael Driscoll is nearly 4 percent higher than Fiscal 2017 and includes a 5 percent increase for the Watertown Public Schools and new positions for a handful of municipal departments, including the Police Department and Library. Tuesday night Driscoll presented the budget to the Town Council for the 25th time, see the presentation here. The town budget totals $132.6 million, which is $5 million more than the previous year. Local real estate and personal property taxes total $94.8 million and State Aide accounts for $12.1 million. Local receipts – inspection fees, motor vehicle excise taxes and hotel excise taxes – provide $11.9 million for the budget.

Around Town

Still Time to Sign Up for the Watertown Police Finish Strong 5K Race

By |

The fourth annual Watertown Police Department Finish Strong 5K race will be held on April 30, and there is still time to sign up. The WPD put out the following announcement:

We cordially invite you to participate in the 4th annual Watertown Police Finish Strong 5K road race and walk. This event will support the Watertown Police Relief Committee and the Watertown Police Supervisors Association. The Watertown Police Relief Association was organized in 1936 and changed to the Watertown Police Relief Committee in 2008. Our membership is comprised of sworn personnel, regardless of rank, as well as all retired officers.

Police/Fire

Watertown Police Department Swears In 3 New Officers

By |

The Watertown Police Department is pleased to announce the swearing-
in of three new officers into its ranks. They are Officers Brendan Wojtowicz, Allison Grizey, and Catherine Dello Russo. The officers attended a six-month training academy at the MBTA Transit Police Academy in Quincy. All three officers will participate in an extensive field-training program before receiving their final assignments with the Patrol Division. The swearing-in ceremony took place on March 24, 2017 in the Watertown Police Department Community Room.

Facebook

Facebook Argument Turns Into Fracas in Watertown Square

By |

A disagreement on social media turned into a police incident when two men from Watertown decided they should decide their argument IRL. At 11:10 p.m. on March 23, Watertown Police received a report of a two men fighting in the parking lot next to Dunkin’ Donuts in Watertown Square. The men were yelling at each other when police arrived and they were separated, said Watertown Police Lt. James O’Connor. “Both had consistent stories. They were involved in an argument on Facebook,” O’Connor said.

Arrests

Police Log: Man Caught Breaking into Cars at Library, Apartment Broken Into

By |

The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department. Arrest
Jan. 31, 6:10 p.m.: A witness reported seeing a man walking up to vehicles in the parking lot behind the Watertown Free Public Library and trying to open their doors. Police found a man fitting the description of the suspect in the library and spoke with him. The suspect said he thought it was his friend’s car and when he opened the door there was someone inside.