For many of us, the new year serves as a time to reflect on our highlights and accomplishments over the past year.
But there’s also events we’d all like to forget. For some, those lowlights are chronicled in The Item’s police log.
Here are some of our favorite entries from 2019.
Let’s all resolve to do better in the new year. To the police, thank you for all you do.
Marblehead, Jan. 3
A caller reported at 7:28 a.m. on Thursday that she had not seen her Bayview Road neighbor in a few days and the garage door had fallen off. She stated she was concerned her neighbor may have been under the garage door. Responding officers found the neighbor to be fine.
Lynnfield, Jan 9
A caller from Lynnfield Commons at 375 North Broadway, Apt. 3-112, reported she could not find her 2-year-old daughter on Wednesday at 3:54 p.m. An officer reported the mother found her child in bed sleeping under the covers.
Saugus, Jan. 13
A caller reported she went to check on a raccoon and it attacked her at 1:38 p.m. Sunday at 31 Saugus Ave. Blue Pearl Vet in Waltham called to say the woman was giving the raccoon water when it bit her hand and she was told to go to a hospital.
Marblehead, Feb. 1
A caller was concerned there was a “heavy guy” skating on the pond and was nervous about it at 1:16 p.m. Friday on Pond Street.
Marblehead, Feb. 4
A caller stated he was speaking with his daughter who was home alone on Londonberry Road at 9:45 a.m. on Monday. He stated she told him there were two men in trench coats who came to the door and made her nervous. They did not attempt to break in but they refused to leave. Responding officers located the two parties and discovered they were Jehovah’s Witnesses.
Marblehead, Feb. 11
A caller reported at 11:44 a.m. on Monday that there was a vehicle with a young male operator who was holding two drumsticks and was “banging them on the steering wheel” at Maple and Lafayette streets. The caller stated they felt it was not safe and an officer should speak with the driver. Responding officers found the vehicle gone on arrival.
Lynnfield, Feb. 12
A caller reported a man came to his door at 635 Lowell St. on Tuesday at 9:31 p.m. and asked if he wanted his driveway plowed, but his red pickup truck did not have a plow. An officer checked the area but was unable to locate the vehicle.
Marblehead, Feb. 13
A caller was looking to set up an MRI appointment and called police to do so at 7:11 a.m. Wednesday on May Street. Police told him he called 911 and they don’t set up doctor’s appointments.
Marblehead, Feb. 13
A caller reported at 2:02 p.m. on Wednesday that a female came into the store on Pleasant Street the day before and produced a note that said something “like being an associate to murder is a crime.” They stated they had the female on security camera footage. Responding officers contacted the woman and she did not want to give officers an explanation for it.
Lynnfield, Feb. 16
Police received a report of a suspicious foreigner operating a large white SUV and asking for directions to Whole Foods Market on Saturday at 3:07 p.m. An officer checked the area but was unable to locate the vehicle.
Peabody, Feb. 19-20
Police received a report of “Ed,” a turkey, causing a traffic hazard in the middle of Main Street on Tuesday at 4:54 p.m. People were running in and out of traffic trying to chase it. An officer reported Ed was sitting atop a fence at Main and Pierpont streets. On Wednesday at 11:44 a.m., the Massachusetts Environmental Police were on Main Street trying to contain Ed and requested assistance from the Peabody Police Department. It turns out Ed is Edna and she was relocated to New Hampshire.
Marblehead, Feb. 22
A caller wanted to know why bells were ringing at a church on Washington Street at 12:22 p.m. Friday.
Marblehead, Feb. 26
A caller reported he believed someone attempted to get into his Village Street home at 9:21 p.m. on Tuesday. He stated he heard the door handle “jiggle” and someone attempted to open it. He stated he pushed the door shut and a male outside the door said “Oh, I was just looking for wifi,” and left abruptly.
Marblehead, March 8
A report of an aggressive lot attendant at 2:34 p.m. Friday on Bessom Street. A caller was upset that she was approached by a very aggressive man who told her she could not park in the lot if she was going to the nail salon. She was parked in the Village Plaza lot. Police tried to explain to her that the lots are private and that’s what the lot attendant was hired to do. The caller asked if the Swampscott Police were OK with the man being aggressive toward people and police reminded her she had called Marblehead Police. She said she couldn’t believe the town of Marblehead supports this behavior.
Marblehead, March 10
A report of suspicious activity at 9:50 p.m. Sunday on Pinecliff Drive. A caller reported she came home and noticed a man who appeared to be walking through her yard. Police reported the homeowner returned home early from a trip.
Marblehead, March 11
A caller reported she heard footsteps in her Carol Road home at 10:33 p.m. on Monday. She stated she was unsure of where the noise was coming from but it may be an animal. Her husband was also on scene holding a bat and the two children were asleep. She was advised to keep her husband in the bedroom and have him put the bat down so one of the officers didn’t get hit. Responding officers checked the premises and all was clear.
Lynnfield, March 12
Police received a report of a person throwing snowballs on Tuesday at 8:28 a.m. An officer reported he was unable to locate anyone.
Lynnfield, March 14
The Lynnfield Fire Department requested an officer to respond to an issue with a pedestrian at JP Licks at 800 Market St. on Thursday at 3:02 p.m. An officer reported the person was unhappy with the speed of the town’s Fire Department.
Peabody, March 19
Multiple 911 calls were received for a large beaver in the road causing a traffic issue at 501 Main St. at 6:21 p.m. Tuesday.
Marblehead, March 22
A caller reported finding feathers on her back porch in a straight line and said she thought it looked deliberate at 10:08 p.m. Friday on Farrell Court.
Peabody, March 23
Suspicious activity was reported at 2:51 p.m. Saturday at 4 Centennial Drive. A caller reported someone in the parking lot was doing pushups.
Marblehead, March 27
A walk-in came in at 2:16 p.m. on Wednesday to file a complaint against the project at 118 Front St. and stated they have gone beyond where they are supposed to for digging and blasting. The officer told her she needed to file it with the Building Inspector but she stated they told her they were too busy. At 7:24 a.m. on Thursday, it was reported the woman made her rounds and complained about the project to a captain, a chief, and the town administrator. She stated she is in fear that her birds will get stressed and die because of the blasting.
Marblehead, March 30
A report of suspicious activity at 8:43 p.m. Saturday on Tioga Way. A caller reported he was out walking his dog when he passed another man with a ski mask on. When he approached the man in the ski mask, he said the man began walking toward him. The caller got scared and ran home. Police reported the Little Theater was doing a performance of “Frozen” and the man may have been outside in character.
Marblehead, April 1
A caller reported a drunk male yelling and screaming on Washington Street at 8:47 p.m. on Monday. They stated the male was also exposing himself to people as he walked down the street.
Marblehead, April 7
A report of suspicious activity at 8:01 p.m. Sunday on Goldthwait Road. An older man carrying a flashlight and wearing slippers and a sweatshirt was reportedly knocking on the caller’s door asking for $20. Police spoke with the man who said he had lost his wallet and was looking for a neighbor who could help him buy a pizza.
Nahant, April 11
A report of suspicious activity at 12:59 p.m. Thursday on Castle Road. A caller reported a “drone” was flying above his house and possibly taking pictures. The drone was reportedly moving around the area and the caller felt the police should be told about anyone flying drones over Nahant.
Peabody, April 12
A caller reported the mailman pepper sprayed his dog behind the fence at 4:45 p.m. Friday on Dennis Street.
Peabody, April 15
A caller from Vermont requested a well-being check for a friend who was on a blind date on Monday at 9:34 p.m. The caller said her friend went to dinner at the date’s home on Silverleaf Way and had been unreachable for two hours. An officer made contact with the woman who reported the date was going well.
Peabody, April 23
A caller left a message on Sunday about loose dogs reported on the bike path. The call was received by the animal control officer on Tuesday at 8:29 a.m. The caller said the dogs chase her when she’s rollerblading. On callback, she was told there is only one animal control officer and she does not work on weekends. She was asked to call again if she can get information on the offending dogs. She became upset and said the call was useless.
Marblehead, May 13
A caller reported two men going door-to-door on Sewall Street at 10:05 a.m. on Monday. They stated the men looked shady and were “talking about God.” Responding officers were unable to locate them.
Marblehead, May 23
A caller reported at 3:05 p.m. on Thursday that he was upset National Grid was working on Prospect Street again on a holiday weekend. He stated it seemed to be poor planning or a scheme to get extra holiday pay. He stated when he called National Grid to report it, they hung up on him.
Peabody, June 5
A resident of 27 North Central St. reported her neighbor put dog feces in her mailbox on Wednesday at 7:17 p.m. An officer spoke with the reporting party who said she did not know who did it. There was a letter in the mailbox that asked her to stop allowing her dog to defecate in the yard.
Marblehead, June 18
A caller reported at 11:36 a.m. on Tuesday that she had no phone, email, or Internet. The dispatcher advised her that it’s an emergency line only and she needed to contact her provider.
Marblehead, June 18
A caller reported heavy smoke coming from a roof at the house across the street from the Franklin Street station at 1:15 p.m. on Tuesday. Responding crews reported it was a kid having a book burning party for the end of the school year.
Marblehead, June 26
A caller reported loud music on Sewall Street at 6:26 a.m. on Wednesday. Responding officers found it was a group of people “jamming out to Taylor Swift.”
Marblehead, June 26
At 10 a.m. on Wednesday, a caller reported that a hawk was standing on a sidewalk near Calumet Lane and West Shore Drive. They were advised that animal control does not handle wildlife. At 10:10 a.m., multiple calls came in of residents who were concerned for the bird standing there. One caller stated people were getting out of their cars to take photos and were jamming up traffic. By 10:25 a.m., the hawk was off the road.
Peabody, July 5
A caller reported a very fat man in all black was soliciting for money in the vicinity of Dunkin’ Donuts at 3 Central St. on Monday at 4:09 p.m. The reporting party said they did not wish to give the person money as he did not appear hungry. An officer reported the man was gone upon arrival.
Marblehead, July 13
A report of loud construction in the area at 8:44 p.m. Saturday on Pearl Street. A caller reported a neighbor on Mechanic Street had pulled out a “very noisy machine to wash his car and the neighbor (was) being an (expletive) about it.” Police reported construction was shut down for the evening.
Nahant, July 19
A caller on Willow Street reported people who “are clearly from out of town” smoking weed at 4:57 p.m. Friday.
Nahant, July 28
A caller reported that his son was driving on Castle Road and a man started yelling at him and saying he was going to kick his ass and to bring his “fat f*** father over and he’ll kick his ass too” at 6:15 p.m. Sunday.
Marblehead, July 28
A Village Street resident reported his neighbor parked in a bad place that makes it difficult to navigate out of his driveway at 11:06 p.m. Sunday. Police suggested the resident have the neighbor attempt to back out of the driveway to see how difficult it is.
Saugus, July 29
An angry 911 caller reported a man walked up and took a photo of her vehicle at the Saugus Public Library at 9:12 a.m. Monday. The caller was very irate and would not answer any questions about what led up to the man taking the picture.
Marblehead, Aug. 5
A caller reported at 10:38 a.m. on Monday that a group of people came up to his private driveway on Brown Street and claimed to be Jehovah’s Witnesses. He stated this isn’t the first time he’s seen them in the area and he’s concerned they may be “casing the area.” Responding officers were unable to locate the group.
Saugus, Aug. 10
A caller reported a man urinated in his backyard at 12:41 p.m. Saturday.
Saugus, Aug. 10
A caller reported a shirtless man with tattoos possibly holding a bat or a pipe ran up to another vehicle at 10:59 p.m. Saturday. Police report the man caught someone breaking into his car and chased him with a plastic broom.
Marblehead, Aug. 12
The MBTA dispatch reported a bus was stuck on Pleasant Street at 2:21 p.m. Monday and there were a group of people taking photos and measurements of it. Police reported the bus driver was inexperienced and didn’t think she had enough room, but was able to get through allowing traffic flow to resume.
Marblehead, Aug. 17
A caller reported a fancy cat walked through his yard heading for Ware Pond at 2:37 p.m. Saturday on Rockaway Avenue. The cat reportedly had a fancy pattern of fur and an invisible fence-type collar.
Saugus, Aug. 22
A suspicious man was reportedly looking inside a mailbox at 122 Winter St. at 2:11 p.m. Thursday. Police report the man has permission to look into the mailbox.
Saugus, Aug. 23
A caller reported an elderly man with a shovel and metal detector walking around Riverside Cemetery at 4:19 p.m. Friday.
Marblehead, Aug. 24
A report of a disturbance at 2:45 a.m. Saturday on Darling Street. A partially or completely nude man was reportedly in the back of the building moaning and making animal noises outside. Police reported the man was on the back porch clothed, but was carrying on. He was sent inside for the night.
Marblehead, Aug. 24
A caller reported three juvenile squirrels threw themselves out of a tree and it appeared two had died at 11:26 a.m. Saturday on Flint Street. The third was badly injured. The caller did not live at the residence and was told disposing of dead wildlife on private property was the homeowner’s responsibility. Animal Control was notified about the injured squirrel.
Marblehead, Aug. 25
A report of suspicious activity at 2:27 p.m. Sunday on Abbot Street. A person was reportedly wearing armor and carrying a giant sword. The caller said the person appeared to be a high school student and “looked angry.”
Peabody, Sept. 10
A caller from the Peabody Municipal Light Plant at 201 Warren St. Extension reported a pickup truck at the entrance with lights off and doors open on Tuesday at 7:47 p.m. An officer reported the person was trapping rabbits for dinner.
Marblehead, Sept. 11
A caller reported a turtle crossing Norman Street caused a traffic issue at 1:34 p.m. on Wednesday. At 1:48 p.m., she called back and stated they scooted the turtle off the road and brought it to the side. Dispatch advised her not to disturb the animal any further.
Marblehead, Sept. 16
A caller reported at 8:03 p.m. on Monday that he was bitten by a mosquito and wanted to know if the dispatcher thought he was going to die. He stated he washed his face and put cream on it. The dispatcher advised him he could send medical services, but he declined. He was told there were no known cases of EEE in Marblehead, but the caller said the dispatcher isn’t a doctor so he couldn’t say whether or not he was infected. He stated he would call back if he needed any services.
Marblehead, Sept. 20
A report of a disturbance at 7:49 p.m. Friday on Washington Street. Police reported there wasn’t a disturbance. The family was discussing what to do with a skunk that was under a car.
Peabody, Sept, 28
Animal control officer received a call about a peacock in the back parking lot at Dunkin’ Donuts at 278 Forest St. in Danvers on Route 1 on Saturday at 10:34 a.m. The pet is believed to belong to the nearby farm. The owner was told.
Saugus, Oct. 3
A Lincoln Avenue resident complained to police on Thursday at 5:14 p.m. that a Revere resident comes to his garden and picks flowers. Police were unable to find the Revere woman.
Marblehead, Oct. 6
A report of a water rescue at 2:28 p.m. Sunday on Ocean Avenue. Police reported the man was far out, but looked fine and was doing the backstroke. A caller had reported the man might have gone under but the harbormaster later said the person was out of the water.
Marblehead, Oct. 8
A caller reported at 7:59 a.m. on Tuesday that when he went to go to the dog park on Lime Street, there was a piece of equipment blocking the roadway. He stated he believed it was an effort to not allow people to go to the dog park.
Peabody, Nov. 6
An Elizabeth Lane resident called to complain that a neighbor was blowing leaves into the street and causing distress Wednesday at 3 p.m. Police said the neighbor agreed to stop.
Marblehead, Nov. 7
A caller reported at 9:09 a.m. on Thursday that the staff at a business on Lafayette Street were “telling her rotten lies.” She stated she is looking to retain an attorney to “sue the pants off the facility.” Responding officers advised her this was not a police matter.
Marblehead, Nov. 9
A caller was advised by Swampscott Police to contact Marblehead Police with a heads up that he was marching into town with a lit, Olympic style torch at 10:13 a.m. Saturday on Pleasant Street. He was heading from Vinnin Square to Memorial Park via Tedesco and Humphrey. He was reportedly doing this to make some sort of political statement about the illegal border crossing by children.
Marblehead, Nov. 16
A caller reported an erratic driver at 10:45 a.m. Saturday at Lafayette and Maple streets. The caller described the car as a “small piece of junk” red and white in color.
Marblehead, Nov. 27
Police reported the senior football players’ houses would be toilet papered by the cheerleaders throughout the town on Wednesday night.
Marblehead, Nov. 30
A Leggs Hill Road caller reported someone cut the wires to his Christmas lights at 6:31 p.m. Saturday. He did not think an animal caused the damage because of the “clean cuts.”
Marblehead, Dec. 2
A caller reported he thought he hit another car’s mirror when he tried to avoid trash on his way to an appointment at 9:01 a.m. Monday on Tedesco Street. He said he did not stop to check because he “was going to a very important appointment.” Police checked the other car and reported there was no damage.
Saugus, Dec. 3
Police received a call at 6:05 p.m. Tuesday about a woman with a golden retriever talking to herself and yelling in the parking lot of the Walgreens on Broadway. Officers were dispatched and spoke to the woman. Police determined she was just talking to her dog.
Marblehead, Dec. 13
A caller reported an elderly woman was driving slowly along Harbor Avenue at 2:58 p.m. Friday. She was concerned because she wasn’t sure the woman should be driving. The woman told police she was driving around to “kill time.”
Nahant, Dec. 20
A caller reported his 10-year-old yellow Labrador retriever was missing at 2:54 p.m. Friday on Nahant Road. The caller found the dog swimming in the ocean at Canoe Beach.