Every day, police officers respond to reports of all sorts of events and nonevents, most of which never make the news. Here is a sampling of lesser-known — but no less noteworthy — incidents from police log books (a.k.a. blotters) in our communities.
UNANNOUNCED VISITOR
One morning in May construction workers in Groton called the police department to report that an owl wouldn’t leave their work site. They said the owl suddenly flew in and then appeared to be unable to fly back out. Animal Control Officer John Greenhalgh arrived at the scene to assist the owl, which was taken to Lunenburg Veterinary Hospital to be evaluated. “Owls well that ends well,’’ police wrote on Facebook.
SPEEDY SHOPPING CARRIAGE
At 1:22 p.m. May 19, a Peabody police cruiser was “hit by a fast moving shopping cart’’ outside of the Barnes and Noble store at the Northshore Mall. An officer documented the incident.
HIDE AND SEEK
At 8:58 p.m. May 18, police responded to Lopez Street in Cambridge for a report of a suspicious person under a porch. The individual turned out to be a 20-year-old Cambridge man who had a reason — actually, a half-dozen reasons — to hide: he was found to have six outstanding warrants out of district courts in Boston, Cambridge, and Woburn. He was subsequently placed under arrest.
WORST DATE EVER?
At 9:48 p.m. May 21, Hingham police received a 911 call from a Hanover woman at the Derby Street Shops who reported that “her date left her at dinner’’ at Derby Street and her house and car keys were in his truck. According to the log, she gave his license plate number to police and said she “just wants her keys back.’’ Dispatch tried calling the man three times but didn’t get an answer and left three voicemail messages for him. The woman was going to get a ride to the police station to file a report, but ended up going home instead.
HAZING COYOTES
Police in Brookline have seen an increase in coyote sightings and interactions in town recently, including one scary incident on May 19 when two coyotes emerged from a wooded area and attacked a dog. Luckily, the dog’s owner intervened and the pet was able to get away. Police are advising residents to be aware of coyotes, especially ones that have become used to people and pets. To prevent them from exhibiting bold behavior, state wildlife officials recommend hazing coyotes. (Yes, that’s what they call it.) You can haze a coyote by standing your ground, making eye contact with the creature and waving your arms or clapping, yelling, or making loud noises with an air horn or whistle, or throwing small objects (like tennis balls or pebbles) in the coyote’s direction. “Repeated hazing helps teach coyotes to avoid people and that they are not welcome in your neighborhood,’’ experts say on the MassWildlife website. “Similar to one coyote chasing another out of their territory, you are defining and defending your territory.’’
ON THE WRONG TRACK
On April 26, Beverly police got a call from someone who reported seeing a white sedan heading down the commuter rail tracks by Dairy Queen. Keolis was notified to stop all train traffic, and police checked the area but couldn’t locate any vehicle on the tracks. Perhaps the driver somehow found a way off the tracks? Or the caller made a mistake? We’re not sure, but the fact that a vehicle wasn’t trapped on the tracks was a good thing.
TRASH TALKIN’
On May 4, a woman in Sandwich told police she was being verbally assaulted and harassed by her neighbor for putting garbage in the dumpster at their housing complex. “The self-appointed dumpster defender refused to believe the woman disposing of her refuse was a resident,’’ police wrote. “Officers mediated the situation and an apology was offered when it was confirmed the woman using the receptacle was entitled to do so because she lived in the complex.’’
Emily Sweeney can be reached at emily.sweeney@globe.com. Follow her @emilysweeney and on Instagram @emilysweeney22.
