Wednesday May 14
Monday May 19
Wednesday May 28
Wednesday June 4
Topics will include updates on the new Police station, current programs, new officers and crime trends. We also plan to have presentations on crime scene evidence, patrol support initiatives and much more.
Class Alumni wishing to attend may email:
citizenspoliceacademy at watertownpd.org or call Judy Patenaude at 617-972-6537 for more information and to reserve a seat.
The Watertown Youth Coalition will be sponsoring an informational parent workshop “Understanding Social Host Liability.” Presenters will include representatives from the Middlesex County District Attorney’s Office, Watertown Police Department, attorney Richard Campbell and the Watertown Youth Coalition. This event is scheduled for Wednesday May 21, 2008 6 :30 PM to 8:30 PM and will be held in the Watertown High School Lecture Hall. All Watertown parents are invited to attend.
Motorists using roads entering and leaving Watertown Square are likely to see a “significant” Police presence during the rush hour traffic periods. The Traffic Division will be scheduling additional patrols in the area of Watertown Square to alleviate some of the traffic congestion caused by gridlock and red light violations.
Many drivers are unaware that creating gridlock (entering an intersection on a green light while traffic is stopped or backed-up) is unlawful and carries up to a $150 fine in addition to insurance points (see M.G.L. Ch 89 § 9). There are also many drivers who run the red lights because they are in a hurry or are distracted.
Because gridlock affects traffic throughout Watertown square and red light violations are a leading cause for traffic accidents, the Watertown Police will be strictly enforcing any observed violations. Motorists are always encouraged to be alert and courteous when traveling in Watertown – not just in Watertown square.
On Saturday April 26, 2008 police made two arrests in connection with the bank robbery at Watertown Savings Bank, 739 Main Street, on Friday April 25th. Watertown Police Detectives reviewed the surveillance photos and were able to identify the suspect as former Watertown resident Christopher Grace. Police discovered that Grace had an outstanding warrant for threats out of Lowell District Court.
With the assistance of Belmont Police, Cambridge Police, Somerville Police and members of the FBI Bank Robbery Task Force, Grace and the vehicle he was a passenger in was stopped inside the Cambridge Galleria Mall parking garage. Grace was placed under arrest for the warrant. The vehicle was operated by Taralee Garvin. Located on the floor of the vehicle was a .38 caliber handgun. Grace and Garvin were both charged by Cambridge Police for carrying a firearm without a license and leaving a firearm in a vehicle.
Detectives interviewed the suspects who confessed to the Watertown Savings Bank robbery as well as other bank robberies in Belmont, Medford and Dallas Texas. Grace and Garvin will be charged with unarmed robbery for the Watertown Savings Bank robbery. Garvin drove Grace to and from this bank robbery.
Suspect #1: Christopher Grace, 31 Patterson Road Shirley, MA, 35 years old.
Suspect #2: Taralee Garvin, 10 Cambridge Street Belmont, MA, 22 years old.
On Friday April 25th at approximately 2 pm a robbery was reported at the Watertown Savings Bank at 739 Main St. Suspect is described as a white male in his 30’s. He was described as being approximately 5-10, 160 lbs, with short dark hair, wearing a black T-shirt and pants. A note was passed and no weapon was shown.
Anyone having any information on the identity of this suspect is asked to contact Detective Michael Munger at 617-972-6500 or the Officer in Charge at 617-972-6507 or submit a crime tip using the link on the top right of the sidebar.
Click on the picture to see more of Lieutenant McElroy’s last roll call.
The Watertown Police Department is offering R.A.D. Systems defense classes for women. The class meets two nights a week over a two-week period from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., April 28, 29 and 30, and May 5, at the Tufts Health Building, 705 Mount Auburn St. Students interested in taking this course must commit to attending all four sessions.This program is available to women who live in Watertown and are older than 18. Enrollment for participants younger than 18 is permitted with a signed waiver from a parent.
The R.A.D. Systems offer a basic education of confrontation principles and personal defense. R.A.D. is designed to help women overcome the effects of sexual harassment and sexual violence by teaching assertiveness, risk awareness, risk reduction, risk recognition, risk avoidance and physical defense strategies. By attending a credible physical defense program, a woman can substantially develop her options with regard to resistance.
To register, call Detective Kathleen Campbell at 617-972-6545. The deadline to register is April 23. Class size is limited, and enrollment is on a first come, first serve basis.
Chief Edward P. Deveau has accepted the retirement of Lieutenant Robert J. McElroy. In his letter notifying the Chief of his pending retirement Lt. McElroy stated “It has been an honor and a privilege to serve the people of Watertown as a member of the Watertown Police Dept. I will be forever grateful for having had that opportunity.” Lieutenant McElroy’s retirement will be effective Wednesday April 23, 2008, he was hired as a patrol officer in May of 1977.
On his way home from work on Tuesday April 15, 2008 Sergeant Joseph Deignan observed two males struggling with a heavy object on the DCR bike path near the Hartz-Mason building. He stopped and identified himself and questioned these men and requested additional assistance for other police units. As a result of his investigation along with Officers Joseph Reynolds and Robert Kelly these two men were subsequently arrested and charged with breaking and entering, larceny from a building, possession of burglarious tools and trespassing. The heavy object these men were dragging away was identified as brass and worth approximately $4000.00 and had been removed from the Hartz-Mason building.
The Thursday night 5K Fun Run returns beginning May 8, 2008. Meet at the dock in Watertown Square, the run begins promptly at 7PM. For further information check the web page.
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