Residents' Trust of Watertown Police Allowed for Smooth Lockdown

When the Gov. Deval Patrick asked residents to "shelter in place," and stay inside so police could search for the Boston Marathon Bombing suspect on April 19, Watertown residents cooperated with little or no complaint.

Town Councilor Vincent Piccirilli credited the Watertown Police Depatment's good relationship with the people of Watertown for such a smooth lockdown.

"The public cooperation during the crises was amazing, but it didn't come about by accident," Piccirilli said. "The Police Department earned the trust and respect from the citizens of Watertown."

The trust allow helped people be confident in the police even when their homes were being searched.

"It meant that when they put the town on lockdown and asked by SWAT teams to search their homes, the truse and respect earned by the police was returned by citizens," Piccirilli said.

Police Chief Edward Deveau thanked the residents of town through the Reverse 911 system, and many other times. 

"You guys are terrific, you did everything we asked and more," Deveau said. "We were able to move around and do what we needed to do."

He also thanked the Town Council for providing money so police officers can train.