Instead of having a council meeting at the Police Dept the next day as my family had expected, the meeting was set for 2 days later. The reason was that our local newspaper would come out the next day and that would give everyone who wanted to come a chance to make arrangements to. The meeting was held at 7PM. My Dad had to take off of work, since he worked nights.
There were at least 65 people who showed up for the meeting, plus the Police and my family. It was an open forum meeting. The Chief of Police read a statement in which he explained just what had been happening in our neighborhood in the last few weeks.
After doing this he asked for any questions. My parents were really suprised at how many people were genuinely interested in the case. One of the questions asked, was, were there any leads so far, or anyone of interest that the Police were closely watching. The Chief said that they had 2 males they were investigating and possible suspects. The Police would not give any kind of a hint as to their names or where they lived, except to say that they were living in our neighborhood with their families. One male had a lawyer who was his parents attorney and the other felt he didn't need one. After about an hours discussion about what further investigation was going to be done, they advised everybody that they should have the subject of interest by the middle of the following week. Both would be under survelience until this matter was closed. The Police Chief said that our house would be patrolled a lot but he seemed to think that because they had 2 suspects, and their families had promised to watch them also, there would be no more trouble. Of course I am sure that my mom still didn't feel safe and wouldn't until the person was charged with the prowling and the break-in across the street. Suprisenly, before the close of the meeting, the Chief said that if anyone had any info on the goings on to please stay after the meeting and talk to him and his patrolmen. About nine people stayed to talk to the Police, my Dad included. Our next door neighbor took Mom home where his wife was staying with my other brothers and sisters who were at home.
Mom said that Dad came home about an hour and a half later. Evidently, some of the other men there, had sons who had heard stories about one of the suspects the Police were watching. Some new information was learned from the other citizens which strengthed other suspicions against one of the males..My Dad found out in this way who the Police thought it might be..To date that had no valid evidence, just suspicions. So they had to come up with better evidence if they were planning on charging someone by the middle of the following week. There were no fingerprints, gloves were always worn, since it was winter time. Both males smoked the same kind of cigarettes, which were their parents brand also. DNA wasn't possible back then.So the butts couldn't be used. The Police knew they had to somehow narrow their evidence down to one of them. My Dad stayed home that night. He was off the weekend also. When Monday came my Dad received a phone call from the Police. One of the males had been ruled out as a possible suspect. The other, who had the attorney was denying any involvement. The Police could not push him any further without some sort of protest from his attorney.Everything was suddenly at a standstill..It was now the time that the Chief had expected to charge someone for what had been done. All of the sudden the Police stated that because they could not prove anything solid against the suspect, the case was closed, and would be marked "unsolved"
Needless to say, my parents were furious, as were a lot of our neighbors.
The Police would not discuss their findings as the case was closed and so
marked. Suddenly, within 3 days of this decision, the male was suddenly sent to live with an aunt in Virginia, and the reason given by the family, was that he had a chance to go to a military school there, and would live in Virginia with his aunt, while going to school.The Police would not comment on this. Everybody else did, though. But the bottom line was, there was nothing anyone could do. No real evidence to charge him with, even though most knew he was the one. Legal-wise, his attorney was there every step of the way, and made sure everything was done by the book. This is how my story is ending, also. After 48 years of remaining an open case in our local Police Department file cabinet, it is still there, and remains "open-not solved" After the suspect left town, there were no more break-ins or prowlers in our neighborhood.
Every time one of my family members cut the grass, their eyes were looking for those cigarette butts..our windows remained nailed down for about 14 years,until my parents bought new windows, the kind that had reinforced locks.
So now, here it is 48 years later. My son bought this house when my Mom had to go to a nursing home. Now I live with him here. He always tells me that he is always on the lookout for "those butts" when he cuts the grass. He grew up hearing the stories, told by his uncles, my brothers..I still check each window lock each night before I go to bed, even though I know my son has already done this..
No, I am not afraid, just cautious.Like when after it snowed so much the last couple of days, there were footprints in the back yard. The yard is still fenced in..I think, "where did they come from and why" my son and neighbor say it was just probably a dog cutting through the back yard and jumping over the fence..So, maybe so..
As I said, I am not afraid living here. There are so many good things about this house I grew up in. I still feel all the love it held and still does. Most of our neighbors have been here for years and years, and some are the children of the former owners, just like me--We all kind of watch out for each other. My neighbors know what time I get up, as I always open the blinds at the same time every day. They know that I always leave a light on in the downstairs living room each night. When they see my bedroom light on they know I am either reading or watching TV.. My son has his routine each night also. Sometimes he will be in the side porch computer room, or upstairs in his big bedroom.
We also know most of our neighbors routines also. Whenever a light goes on in a neighbors house, we can tell you what room it is and what they are probably doing. Yes, we are becoming creatures of habit..but sometimes, habits are good.
Hope you enjoyed my story. Wish it had a little more closure to it. I called our Police Dept last week, just to see if "our case" was still in their files, and if anything had been added..The patrolman told me, "No..it is still here.and still considered open and unsolved" The only such case in their file cabinet....
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