The Swellesley Report

Since 2005: More than you really want to know about Wellesley, Mass.

Wellesley Citizen Police Academy to kick off in late March

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The Wellesley Police Department this spring is offering a 9-week Citizen Police Academy to residents (age 21+) interested in getting a better understanding of how the organization operates.

The program starts on Wednesday, March 25 from 6:30–8:30pm and goes into May at the police station, 485 Washington St.

The application deadline is March 1 (contact Officer Mike Pino at mpino@wellesleyma.gov).

Get ready for hands-on activities and discussions on topics like:

  • Keeping our community safe

  • How community policing works

  • What happens in emergencies and how the police respond

  • Understanding use of force, de-escalation, and crisis intervention

Not to be confused with the Wellesley Citizens’ Leadership Academy…

     

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Olive Tree Medical, Wellesley
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Emergency crews respond to hazmat call at Wellesley daycare

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A slew of Wellesley Police, Fire and other emergency personnel were on the scene at he Bright Horizons early education center at 60 William Street in Wellesley on late Friday morning for a hazmat call involving what turned out to be a soap snafu.

The town received a call from an employee at the daycare center reporting that a student had been inadvertently exposed to a commercial grade dish soap while washing their hands. “Upon arrival the Wellesley Fire Department personnel learned that more than one student had washed their hands from this dispenser and as a precaution requested that multiple ambulances respond to the scene

Fire Chief Steve Mortarelli told local TV news stations, including Boston 25 News, that about 40 kids between the ages of 1 and 5 were at the daycare, and that 11 of them were hospitalized with “minor, superficial rashes,” similar to a bad sunburn. One adult was also taken to a hospital due to skin irritation. No further updates on the patients’ status was available as of late Friday afternoon.

The Wellesley Fire Department requested that the State Hazmat Team respond to investigate the incident.

“After an extensive recon of all rooms, the Haz-Mat team found that three of the soap dispensers contained a commercial dishwashing concentrate that was stored in the general vicinity. The Board of Health will be in contact with the business owner regarding next steps,” according to the town.

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London Harness, Wellesley
Wellesley Symphony Orchestra, 2026

A sporty Wellesley public safety update: World Cup, Boston Marathon, e-bikes, and more

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The Wellesley Police and Fire chiefs shared quarterly updates near the start of the Jan. 13 Select Board meeting, and as usual they are thinking ahead. In this case, to both the Boston Marathon and the men’s soccer World Cup, the latter of which will have matches this summer at the rebranded Boston Stadium in Foxborough, and at least one team plans to train in Wellesley.

In the past, we’ve seen Italy’s AS Roma practice at Wellesley College.

Police Chief Scott Whittemore said Wellesley police will have a significant role either locally or regionally through the Metropolitan Law Enforcement Council. “On game day it will be all hands on deck [for METRO-LEC] whenever there’s a match at Gillette,” he said, adding that probably five to eight Wellesley officers will be assigned. “There’s a strong possibility there will be a more local presence,” he said.

Speaking of the local colleges, Whittemore said the police are working closely with all three—Babson, MassBay, and Wellesley College—on security. Wellesley College is working to allow Wellesley Police 24/7 access to its buildings, as the force already has with Babson for years.

The police also conduct security training with the private and public schools in town, and with local houses of worship. The vacated Upham Elementary School has proven invaluable for police training as well, such as for active shooter exercises.

Back to sports, a few marathon planning meetings are already taking place each week, Whittemore said. The Boston Marathon runs through Wellesley on April 20.

Whittemore and other town departments and groups are celebrating a successful e-bike safety campaign. He said calls about e-bike concerns dropped off significantly in September after the education push started.

Both the police and fire departments are also celebrating their hiring situations. The police reclassified some jobs, and are beefing up their IT personnel. There are two police officer openings, and recruiting has begun to encourage people to take an exam this spring.

A firefighter just graduated from the academy, and Mortarelli said he’s helpful he’ll be bringing four new firefighters before the Select Board soon to fill out his roster. Wellesley Fire attracted a big showing for its most recently offered exam.

The department has made major strides with software updates, including for an automated alerting system that’s now live.

The other big news from the Fire Department is that its newest engine has arrived.

We do our part for public safety, too. Thousands turn to The Swellesley Report daily to keep current on Wellesley:

 

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Wellesley Perspectives

Police Chief Scott Whittemore reviews 2025, looks ahead to 2026

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“Wellesley Perspectives” is a new series produced by Wellesley Media and published in partnership with The Swellesley Report.

It’s designed to provide residents with timely, concise views on matters of public interest from town leaders and others who have valuable insights.

First up is Police Chief Scott Whittemore, who touches on 2025’s personnel changes, the police memorial rededication, community events, enforcement, sustainability efforts, and a look ahead to 2026.

Wellesley Kitchen and Home Tour
Hunnewell Fun Fair 2026

Wellesley police arrest log, Nov. 1-Dec. 15, 2025: Traffic stops; Attempted check fraud

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The latest Wellesley Police Dept. arrests:

On November 1, 2025, at 2:11 a.m. Officer Bean was conducting traffic enforcement on Worcester Street when he observed a vehicle he estimated to be traveling approximately 80 mph in a posted 50 mph zone.  He confirmed the vehicle’s speed to be 82 mph with a radar unit.  Officer Bean stopped the vehicle and spoke with the operator, who indicated she did not have a driver’s license.  A query of her information confirmed she was not properly licensed to operate a motor vehicle and there was an active warrant issued by Chelsea District Court for her arrest.  She was taken into custody, transported to the station, booked in the usual manner, afforded all rights and later released on personal recognizance.

On November 12, 2025, at 1:23 p.m. Officer Misho was on patrol on Washington Street when he observed an Infiniti sedan with dark window tint.  He queried the vehicle registration which showed the registered owner’s license was suspended.  He stopped the vehicle and spoke with the operator, and requested his license and the vehicle registration.  A query of his information showed that his license was suspended.  He was taken into custody, transported to the station, booked in the usual manner, afforded all rights and later transported to Dedham District Court.

On November 13, 2025, at 9:54 a.m. Officer Cunningham was conducting traffic enforcement on Worcester Street near Oakland Street when he observed a commercial vehicle with an expired registration.  A query of the vehicle registration showed that the vehicle was not properly insured, and the registered owner’s license was suspended.  Officer Cunningham stopped the vehicle and spoke with the operator and owner.  The owner was taken into custody, transported to the station, booked in the usual manner, afforded all rights and later transported to Dedham District Court.  During the booking process a bag with a white powdery substance believed to be cocaine was located.

On November 20, 2025, at 1:37 p.m. Officer Misho was dispatched to a bank on Central Street for a report of a male party attempted to pass a fraudulent check with a fraudulent identification.  The male party was still present at the bank when Officer Misho arrived.  He was able to provide some of the account holder’s correct information, but not all of it.  The license number on the identification he provided the bank employee did not belong to the account holder or the male party.  He was taken into custody, transported to the station, booked in the usual manner, afforded all rights and held on $2,500 bail.

On December 1, 2025, at 11:05 a.m. Officer Misho was conducting traffic enforcement on Worcester Street near Emerson Road when he conducted a random query of a vehicle registration which showed the vehicle’s registration was suspended.  Officer Misho stopped the vehicle and spoke with the operator, and requested his license.  The man indicated his license was suspended, which was confirmed.  He was taken into custody, transported to the station, booked in the usual manner, afforded all rights and later transported to Dedham District Court.

On December 3, 2025, at 2:51 p.m. Officer Shippole was conducting traffic enforcement on Washington Street at Abbott Road when a motorist approached her to advise her of a motor vehicle accident that had occurred on Washington Street at Laurel Ave.  Officer Shippole responded to the accident and while processing the paperwork for the operators involved Officer Shippole learned that one of the operator’s had an outstanding warrant issued by Chelsea District Court for motor vehicle related charges.  That operator was taken into custody, transported to the station, booked in the usual manner, afforded all rights and later released on personal recognizance.

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Wellesley High senior women keep it close in annual Powderpuff football game

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Wellesley High’s 2025 Powderpuff team & coaches (photo via Wellesley Police)

Wellesley High School senior women dropped a tight 7-0 flag football game at Needham High School the day before the boys earned a Thanksgiving Day win over the Rockets.

Needham took at 7-0 lead in the first half vs. the Raiders in the Powderpuff matchup, and the teams held each other scoreless the rest of the way.

The team was coached by members of the Wellesley Police Department.

Wellesley police log: Phantom kitten; rogue candy seller; mysterious trunk; student photographed with firearm

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Wellesley police signThe latest Wellesley, Mass. police log:

On July 28, 2025, at 7:19 p.m. an officer spoke with a male reporting party regarding fraudulent checks he had received.  He indicated he had been retained by a client to assist with mediation of a dispute.  The payment received was in the form of a fraudulent check.  His bank indicated they would refund the lost monies to his account.  The incident is under investigation.

On July 28, 2025, at 7:39 p.m. an officer spoke to a female reporting party who wished to report her vehicle stolen.  The reporting party stated that she believed her daughter’s boyfriend had taken the car without her authority.  The officer inquired if her daughter is authorized to use the vehicle and the reporting party indicated she was, but she was unable to get in touch with her to determine if she had the vehicle.  She was advised to attempt further to contact her daughter to determine if she had the vehicle and if she was driving the vehicle.

On July 29, 2205, at 9:42 a.m. an officer spoke with a male reporting party regarding fraud.  The male party stated an unknown individual opened a PayPal account using his personal information in April 2025.  He stated he contacted his bank and had the charges reversed and later received a collection letter from PayPal for the charges.  The incident is under investigation.

On July 29, 2205, at 10:32 p.m. an officer spoke with a male reporting party regarding being struck by a scooter earlier in the day.  The reporting party stated that while walking to the Wellesley Square train station around 10:20 a.m. a male party on scooter intentionally rode his scooter into him.  He said he was struck so hard he dropped his coffee, and the male party did not stop and he smiled and grinned at him.  He was advised to contact the police department if this sort of thing happens again.

On August 1, 2025, at 7:22 p.m. an officer spoke to a female reporting party regarding an online scam.  The reporting party purchased a kitten online and paid $1,900 via Cash-App for the kitten that she had arranged for a pet transporter to pick up the kitten from the seller in Michigan and they did not show up.  When she tried to contact the seller, the number was no longer functioning.  The officer attempted to call the number as well without success and contacted the local police department in Michigan and was advised that there was nobody by the name of the seller at the address they provided.    

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On August 4, 2025, at 8:00 p.m. an officer spoke to a female reporting party regarding items stolen from their apartment.  The female party indicated that a TV, headphones, videos games and other miscellaneous items had been taken from the apartment.  The [Read more…]

Wellesley Police arrest log filled with motor vehicle infractions

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Wellesley police signThe latest Wellesley Police Department arrests:

On September 13, 2025, at 1:21 a.m. Officer Drapkin was on patrol when the Wellesley Emergency Communications Center relayed that there was a motor vehicle travelling eastbound on the westbound side of Worcester Street. Officer Drapkin observed this vehicle at the Natick/Wellesley line and noticed that the vehicle was missing a rear tire and had heavy damage to the rear panel and bumper. The vehicle pulled into the breakdown lane on Worcester Street near Lexington Road. Officer Drapkin spoke with the operator,  and immediately noticed that her eyes were bloodshot and glassy and her speech was slurred and there was a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage emanating from her person. She was unaware of which town she was in and indicated she was trying to get back to New Hampshire and then stated she was trying to get to Rhode Island. She agreed to take some reasonable tests of balance and coordination to determine if she was able to safely operate a motor vehicle and she was unable to successfully pass these. She was taken into custody, transported to the station, booked in the usual manner, afforded all rights and later released on personal recognizance.

On September 6, 2025, at 10:14 p.m. Officer Sullivan was dispatched to Worcester Street for a report of an erratic operator who almost struck the guardrail and had difficulty maintaining their lane of travel. Officer Sullivan stopped the vehicle and spoke with the operator. The driver’s eyes were bloodshot and glassy and there was an odor of an alcoholic beverage emanating from his person. He agreed to take some reasonable tests of balance and coordination to determine if he could safely operate a motor vehicle. He was unable to successfully pass these tests. He was taken into custody, transported to the station, booked in the usual manner, afforded all rights and later released on personal recognizance.

On September 4, 2025, at 6:50 p.m. Officer Garland was conducting traffic enforcement on Worcester Street when he observed a BMW sedan with heavily tinted windows, and it also appeared the operator of the vehicle was holding his phone in his hand looking at the screen. He stopped the vehicle and spoke with the operator,  and requested his license and registration. A query of his information showed there was an active warrant for his arrest issued by Brockton District Court for Assault and Battery. He was taken into custody, transported to the station, booked in the usual manner, afforded all rights and later released on $100 bail.

On August 28, 2025, at 10:15 a.m. Officer Carey assisted the Bureau of Criminal Investigation with the service of an arrest warrant. The suspecte was taken into custody for two warrants issued by the Wrentham District Court for shoplifting and motor vehicle related charges and one warrant issued by the Attleboro District Court for motor vehicle related charges. She was transported to the station, booked in the usual manner, afforded all rights and later transported to the Dedham District Court.

On August 26, 2025, at 3:42 a.m. Officer Bean was conducting traffic enforcement on Worcester Street when he noticed a vehicle with an expired registration. Officer Bean stopped the vehicle and spoke with the operator, and requested his license and registration. A query of his information showed that his license was suspended. He also had a psilocybin mushroom in his possession. He was transported to the station, booked in the usual manner, afforded all rights and later released on personal recognizance.

On August 19, 2025, at 12:51 p.m. Officer Carey was dispatched to a car dealership for a report of a male party who appeared to be intoxicated sitting in a vehicle. The officer made contact with the male party, who had an open container of Budweiser beer he had been drinking in the vehicle. He indicated he had just opened the beer when he parked the car. A query of his information showed that his license was suspended. He was taken into custody, transported to the station, booked in the usual manner and held without bail.

On August 16, 2025, at 6:38 p.m. Officer Poisson was dispatched to a motor vehicle crash on Worcester Street at Oakland Street. When speaking with the operators he detected a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage emanating from the driver of one of the vehicles. He was also unsteady on his feet and had slurred speech. He agreed to take some reasonable tests of balance and coordination to determine if he was able to safely operate a motor vehicle. He was unable to successfully pass these tests. He was taken into custody, transported to the station, booked in the usual manner, afforded all rights and later released on personal recognizance.

On August 15, 2025, at 12:25 p.m. Officer Carey assisted Officer Gover with a motor vehicle stop where an operator was driving on the wrong side of the road on Washington Street. The officers spoke with the operator, and requested his license and registration. A query of his information showed that his license was suspended. He was taken into custody, transported to the station, booked in the usual manner, afforded all rights and later transported to Dedham District Court.

On August 14, 2025, at 1:27 p.m. Officer Carr was conducting traffic enforcement on Worcester Street when he conducted a random query of a Porsche’s registration. The query showed that the registered owner’s license was suspended. He stopped the vehicle and spoke with the operator and owner, and was provided with his license. He was taken into custody, transported to the station, booked in the usual manner, afforded all rights and was later released on $100 bail.

On August 11, 2025, at 12:50 p.m. Officer Misho was conducting traffic enforcement on Worcester Street when he observed a vehicle with an expired registration. He stopped the vehicle and spoke with the operator, and requested his license. A query of his information showed that his license was suspended. He was taken into custody, transported to the station, booked in the usual manner, afforded all rights and later transported to Dedham District Court.

On August 9, 2025, at 11:50 a.m. Officer Sullivan was dispatched to a bank on Central Street for a report of a female party utilizing a fraudulent ID and attempting to obtain account information about an account holder. Upon arrival bank employees showed Officer Sullivan a New York State ID card with their customer’s name but it had the female party’s photo on it. The employees indicated that they keep a copy of customer ID’s on file and the woman in the bank was not the same as the account holder. Officer Sullivan spoke with the female party, later identified, and asked if she had another form of identification. She provided a credit card with the account holder’s name on it. She was unable to provide the correct address on the NY State ID and could not properly answer the security questions for the account. She later told the officers that a male party provided her with the fraudulent ID and credit card. She was taken into custody, transported to the station, booked in the usual manner, afforded all rights and was later released on $2,000 bail.

On August 5, 2205, at 2:40 p.m. Officer Shippole assisted Officer Cunningham at a motor vehicle stop on Worcester Street. A query of the operator’s information showed that his license was suspended. A query of the vehicle’s registration indicated that the registration was suspended and was not properly insured. He was taken into custody, transported to the station, booked in the usual manner, afforded all rights and later released on personal recognizance.

On July 29, 2025, at 6:45 p.m. Officer Sullivan was on patrol on Worcester Street when he observed a Toyota SUV traveling in front of him and conducted a random query of the vehicle’s registration which showed there were two active warrants issued by the South Boston District Court and Waltham District Court for motor vehicle related charges for the registered owner of the vehicle. He stopped the vehicle and confirmed that the operator was the registered owner. He was taken into custody, transported to the station, booked in the usual manner, afforded all rights and held without bail.

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