In a year that has been anything but normal, it’s comforting to know that things will always be crazier in The Item’s police log.
We look back at the most outlandish entries of 2021.
To the police, thank you for all that you do.
Saugus, Jan. 6
A suspicious man was reportedly inside the cemetery and using a garden hose to bathe himself at 3:18 p.m. Wednesday on Winter Street.
Marblehead, Jan. 11
A report of suspicious activity at 11:55 a.m. Monday on Lafayette Street. A caller reported kids were making bike ramps and jumping off of them on the trail behind the cemetery. Police were unable to find the kids, but did locate a man in a hut.
Marblehead, Jan. 14
A caller reported at 9:17 a.m. Thursday that a motor vehicle had passed three cars and ran a red light at Maple Street. The caller caught up to the car to see that it was driven by an older woman eating a muffin.
Swampscott, Jan. 14
A caller reported a shirtless male with long hair banging on the window of Five Guys Burgers and Fries at 980 Paradise Road at 7:31 p.m. Thursday. The individual’s mother was notified.
Saugus, Jan. 22
A caller reported at 5:45 p.m. Friday that an individual had been leaving animal feces on her car door handle.
Marblehead, Feb. 5
A caller reported a man in the area of Farrell Court at 2:34 p.m. Friday with his pants around his knees. The caller did not think that that was appropriate in the proximity of a school.
Marblehead, Feb. 8
A report of unwanted shoveling at 11:07 a.m. Monday on Atlantic Avenue. A caller reported she “saw on the Ring camera” that the same neighbors from a prior complaint were attempting to shovel the driveway.
Peabody, Feb. 14
Suspicious activity was reported at 7:42 a.m. Sunday at Workout World at 216 Newbury St. Atlantic Ambulance personnel reported a bearded man was attempting to fight passing cars. An officer reported the man was on his way back to Portland, Maine, and did not want police services.
Saugus, Feb. 17
Police received a 911 call at 5:56 p.m. Wednesday from the manager at Burger King on Broadway who reported a disturbance with a customer in the drive-through. The customer reportedly was upset his onion rings were dipped in too much oil and was refusing to leave the drive-through. Dispatched officers reported the person would be trespassed from Burger King.
Peabody, Feb. 18
A report of suspicious activity at 4:18 p.m. Thursday at 4 Sherman St. A caller reported a man in his early 20s was walking up and down the street and looking down driveways. Police spoke with the person, who said he was scouting for a parking spot for when the parking ban goes into effect.
Marblehead, Feb. 27
A caller contacted the police station at 6:20 p.m. Saturday and asked who he had reached. He was informed that he had reached the police department, at which point he asked what day tomorrow was. He was informed that tomorrow was Sunday.
Saugus, March 1
Police received a call for a suspicious man in the vicinity of Kane’s Donuts on Broadway at 10:41 p.m. Monday. The person reportedly had his pants around his ankles and was possibly wearing checkered pajama pants and a hoodie. Officers spoke with the man who stated he was getting some fresh air and was staying at the Avalon Motel. The man was moved along.
Marblehead, March 12
A report of an out-of-control neighbor at 3:56 p.m. Friday on Mohawk Road. A caller reported his neighbor was harassing him and had a pitchfork in his hand. The neighbor was reportedly damaging the caller’s fence and yelling at his dog.
Swampscott, March 16
At 12:43 a.m. Tuesday, police received a report of a man in his 20s or 30s carrying a radio and banging on a window on Beach Avenue.
Marblehead, March 21
A caller reported their neighbor keeps putting trash cans and sex toys in her window in plain view of the caller’s child at 1:37 p.m. Sunday on Washington Street.
Marblehead, March 23
A report of a disturbance at 9:31 p.m. Tuesday at Stony Brook Road and Beringer Way. A caller reported a band was playing in the area. Police reported the only noise in the area was coming from coyotes howling, which sounded like people cheering.
Peabody, April 4
A neighborhood dispute was reported at 11:05 a.m. Sunday at 8 Highland St. A caller reported a neighbor threw a bag of dog poop at her.
Marblehead, April 5
A caller wishing to remain anonymous reported a boulder in the middle of Lafayette Street at 5:25 p.m. Monday. Police reported that it was actually a paper bag that had been removed from the street.
Marblehead, April 7
A Sewall Street caller reported at 5:56 p.m. Wednesday that a group of high-school-aged kids had attempted to throw a banana peel from their car into the open window of his car. The father of one of the kids later reported that his son had not intended to hit the car with the banana peel, and that he would have a conversation with his son about the incident.
Marblehead, April 11
A Pleasant Street woman called at 12:42 a.m. Sunday to complain about her neighbor running his bathroom fan for too long, and the “non-stop” odor of marijuana.
Peabody, April 19
A report of a fight at 5:45 p.m. Monday at Welch School at 50 Swampscott Ave. A caller reported four or five youths were beating up another youth in the play yard. The caller said the kids were all 12-13 years old. Police spoke with the youths, who said there was no fighting and that they were conducting “WWE tryouts.”
Peabody, April 21
A report of an unwanted guest at 12:01 p.m. Wednesday at Honey Dew Donuts at 130 Newbury St. An employee reported a customer was unhappy with her sandwich and threw an item at the drive-through window. Police reported the woman was given a refund and sent on her way.
Peabody, April 21
A caller reported he has video and still shots of a neighbor’s dog in his yard, walking down the street, and defecating in another neighbor’s yard at 12 Blaney Ave. The complaint was made at 1:29 p.m. Wednesday.
Marblehead, April 21
A School Street caller reported kids were shining laser lights into the upstairs window at 8:28 p.m. Wednesday. Police spoke with the group, who reported that they thought the person upstairs liked the exchange of the lights going back and forth between one another. The group was moved along.
Peabody, April 24
A disturbance was reported at 11:27 a.m. Saturday at Metro Bowl at 63 Foster St. A verbal disagreement in the parking lot of Metro Bowl reportedly involved a husband and wife, who were arguing about the husband’s inability to bowl.
Marblehead, April 28
A report of suspicious activity at 8:11 a.m. Wednesday at Ocean Avenue and Sargent Road. A caller reported a man who was walking slowly appeared to be high, saying that the man “doesn’t belong here” because he was disheveled and his pants were down to his butt.
Marblehead, April 28
Suspicious activity was reported at 4:38 p.m. Wednesday on Bessom Street. A caller reported a man described as a “strange character” and “comically suspicious” had been circling the area in the same pattern for about half an hour. She said the man’s boxers were hanging out “like gangsters wore in the ’90s” and that he was “not with it.” A 24-year-old Rockport man was arrested.
Swampscott, April 28
At 8:34 p.m. Wednesday, a caller from Paradise Road reported yelling coming from a nearby apartment, saying she had called before. The yelling was coming from a father and son watching soccer.
Nahant, May 3
A person called the station at 2:15 p.m. Monday to report two men were on hydroplane boards chasing birds in the water in the area of Sea Breeze Lane. The caller wanted to know what the law was around harassing wildlife. The party was advised accordingly.
Marblehead, May 15
A report of kids ringing doorbells at 10:46 p.m. Saturday on Trager Road. The homeowners approached an officer to report kids were doing the old ding-dong ditch.
Saugus, May 17
A report of road rage at 2:55 p.m. Monday at Walmart at 770 Broadway. A driver reportedly threw a water bottle at another car during a road-rage incident.
Marblehead, May 19
At 10:52 a.m. Wednesday, an Evans Road caller wanted to know if leaf blowers were banned because they were “annoying the hell out of her.”
Peabody, May 20
A report of a neighborhood dispute at 7:33 p.m. Thursday at 28 Veterans Memorial Drive. A caller reported her neighbor was throwing water in her window. An officer spoke with the neighbor, who said the water was not thrown with any ill intent toward the woman.
Peabody, May 25
Police were called to assist with a duckling crossing at 10:18 a.m. Tuesday at 527 Lowell St. and 2 Bourbon St.
Marblehead, June 25
A report of a larceny/forgery/fraud at 10:27 p.m. Thursday on Pleasant Street. A man walked into the station to report that he had bought a sandwich Wednesday night, but was overcharged. The man thought the store that sold him the sandwich was involved in some sort of conspiracy, which involved the employees harassing him. Police said the sandwich wrapper had a price of $5.69, but the store had charged the man $5.79. The man also stated that he was hit by someone throwing rocks at the beach and that police should be able to find out who did it from looking at the satellites.
Lynnfield, June 28
A report of suspicious activity at 7:14 a.m. Sunday at Audubon and Market streets. A caller reported a bald man of average height was making inappropriate sexual comments to women in the area. Police spoke with the man, who was found lying in the grass and reported he did compliment a woman, saying she was out of his league. The man was sent on his way.
Marblehead, June 30
At 12:28 a.m. Tuesday, a caller from Ocean Avenue reported people were abusing the right of way between her home and another residence. She said the people were fishing and using her property as a bathroom while leaving their underwear all over the place. Police reported two people were fishing in an appropriate area and that there was no trespassing. Police said the caller was more upset about the actual fishing than anything else.
Saugus, June 30
A report of suspicious activity at 12:23 p.m. Tuesday at 66 Hurd Ave. A caller reported a young man with a mustache was on a hoverboard and going door to door around the neighborhood. Police could not find the man.
Marblehead, July 8
A sound complaint was reported at 2:07 p.m. Thursday on High Street. A caller reported there was a “parade of soldiers firing muskets.” The caller described the sound as a “staggering noise,” adding that it was a health problem due to the level of noise.
Saugus, July 20
A report of a suspicious person at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at Riverside Cemetery at 164 Winter St. A caller reported a woman dressed in all pink clothing appeared to be taking things off gravestones and putting them in a duffle bag. The woman told police that she was a witch and was picking up sticks for a spell she was casting later in the day. Police reported the woman checked out and was sent on her way.
Saugus, July 20
A report of a disturbance at 4:50 p.m. Tuesday at Target at 400 Lynn Fells Parkway. Target reported a man and two small children were playing a violin in the parking lot and were refusing to leave. Police reported the people left prior to their arrival.
Nahant, July 21
On Wednesday at 11:53 a.m. a caller reported that a mannequin was at Joe’s Beach and that it was “disturbing.” The mannequin was removed.
Marblehead, Aug. 11
At 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, a caller from Middle Street contacted police to say he had “been away for a few days on the island” and wanted to know if it was the evening of the 11th.
Marblehead, Aug. 13
At 10:14 p.m. Friday, a caller reported fireworks in the area of Atlantic Avenue and Hawkes Street. A woman flagged down an officer to report someone threw cheese at her vehicle. There was no damage, the mess was cleaned up and the woman was sent on her way.
Marblehead, Aug. 27
A Lafayette Street resident called at 6 p.m. Friday to report that someone was sweeping aggressively outside to prepare for road paving the next day and that the dust was preventing her from sitting on her porch.
Peabody, Sept. 3
A report of suspicious activity at 8:27 p.m. Friday at St. Ann’s Church at 140 Lynn St. A caller reported a car was doing weird stuff in the parking lot. Police reported the call was unfounded; a father was giving driving lessons to his son.
Marblehead, Sept. 8
A report of fireworks at 7:59 p.m. Wednesday on Captains Walk Lane. A caller reported someone was “shooting off fireworks” and it was “scaring the hell” out of her dogs. A second caller reported a party and fireworks. Police reported this was a soccer party hosted by adults and they had finished with the fireworks.
Swampscott, Sept. 11
At 12:15 p.m Saturday, a caller at 13 Elmwood Road reported a raccoon was asleep on her second-story porch.
Saugus, Sept. 13
A report of a disturbance at 6:13 p.m. Monday at 1 Kayla Drive. A caller reported a female neighbor sprayed her husband with a hose. Police spoke with everyone involved; all parties agreed not to turn the hoses on each other.
Saugus, Sept. 26
A report of a neighborhood dispute at 12:42 a.m. Sunday at 42 Jackson St. A caller reported his neighbor had been dancing naked in his window every night and was doing it at the time of the call. Police reported the caller planned to confront the neighbor’s parents about the issue on Monday.
Nahant, Sept. 28
At 11:26 a.m. Tuesday, a caller from Castle Road reported a coyote was eating apples in front of the school.
Peabody, Oct. 2
A report of suspicious activity at 7:34 a.m. Saturday at Marriott Hotel at 8A Centennial Drive. A caller reported someone was possibly defecating in the parking lot. An officer reported the suspect was gone upon arrival; the officer said no one in the area did the act.
Peabody, Oct. 2
A report of a neighborhood dispute at 11:24 a.m. Saturday at 4 Balgreen Drive. A female caller reported a neighbor was mowing her lawn despite being asked not to. Police reported the issue has been resolved.
Saugus, Oct. 16
Suspicious activity was reported at 9:27 p.m. Saturday at 12 Bacon Drive. A caller reported a woman in her 40s was inside her house and had fallen asleep on her couch. The caller stated the woman had said she was a witch and walked into the house when she was bringing in her groceries.
Lynnfield, Oct. 21
At 10:35 a.m. Thursday, a caller reported a fancy-looking chicken was walking around the property of Horizon Air at 10 Kimball Lane. Animal Control was notified.
Peabody, Oct. 23
A disturbance involving a naked man was reported at 11:34 p.m. Saturday at 80 Foster St.
Peabody, Oct. 28
At 9:48 a.m. Thursday, a caller reported a peacock was roaming the area of Route 1 at 295 Forest St. and 133 Newbury St., which was causing a traffic hazard. An officer notified the homeowner to tell him to wrangle his peacock. Police reported the owner has been repeatedly told to clip his peacock’s wings; police planned to notify the health department, which could revoke the man’s right to own a peacock.
Peabody, Oct. 28
A report of suspicious activity at 11:54 a.m. Thursday at 73 Andover St. A caller reported a woman had stolen his pumpkin and put her pumpkin in its place. The woman told police her daughter’s pumpkin had not been fit for her school project that night, and she had liked the victim’s pumpkin better so she swapped it out. The victim did not want the suspect’s pumpkin at his house and gave it to an officer for the investigation. Police returned the suspect’s pumpkin to her house, confiscated the victim’s pumpkin and returned it to the victim’s home without incident.
Peabody, Nov. 8
A report of a disturbance at 11:07 p.m. Monday at Pete’s A Place at 19A Central St. A caller reported a woman was punching a man in the middle of the street. An officer reported the person had just learned about a death in the family and was being consoled by his girlfriend.
Peabody, Nov. 18
A report of suspicious activity at 1:28 p.m. Thursday at Holiday Inn at 1 Newbury St. A caller reported she had witnessed a drug exchange in the parking lot. An officer reported the people involved were having lunch and had passed cigarettes.
Peabody, Nov. 20
A caller at 6:46 p.m. Saturday reported that his windshield had been egged while pulling into the parking lot of T&L Liquors at 637 Lowell St. The caller said that due to the yolk obstructing his view he could not identify a suspect.
Nahant, Dec. 7
At 7:15 a.m. Tuesday, a caller was looking for an animal control officer regarding a “chicken” walking around the Long Beach area. The person was advised that the animal control officer only handles domestic animals.
Peabody, Dec. 8
A report of suspicious activity at 6:57 p.m. Wednesday at 15 Macarthur Road. A caller reported a banging sound outside her house that was occurring about every five minutes. Police reported the wind had blown the door open and it was banging against the railing.
Peabody, Dec. 20
A report of a disturbance at 11:50 p.m. Monday at Core Potential Consulting at 11A Kosciusko St. An intoxicated man reportedly unplugged the lights in a Christmas display to charge his phone.
