Copyright The Boston Globe
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. SLITHERING RESCUE Erin Mallette, the regional animal control officer for Millis and Medway, and Millis Police Officer Dale Bickford recently teamed up to help a snake that got stuck in some netting. Photos of Bickford freeing the creature were posted on the Millis/Medway Animal Control Facebook page. “When a snake got itself tangled up in netting, Officer Bickford arrived cool, calm, and collected — true snake charmer style," the post said. “His steady demeanor even helped ACO Mallette step in to assist with the rescue. Now, rumor has it ACO Mallette may still be crying … but that’s what happens when you call in backup for emotional support. Thanks to Officer Bickford, the snake is freed, the netting is history, and Millis proved once again that no call is too unusual for our team — whether it has two legs, four legs, or no legs at all!" LOST AND FOUND ITEM OF THE WEEK Advertisement Lost items get turned in to police departments all the time — typically someone’s keys, phone, ring, or wallet. But something much different got misplaced by someone on Cape Cod, and on Sept. 30 it was found by a security guard in Sandwich who promptly alerted police because it appeared to be illegal drugs. “Officers were dispatched to a local business to retrieve a bag of a white, chalky, chunks of a substance suspected to be crack cocaine,” police wrote. “Officers were unable to identify who had left the bag, which is being held at SPD. If it’s yours, feel free to come by, we’d love to meet you.” CHICKENING OUT How did poultry end up in the woods behind H&R Block on Route 1 in Norwood? That was the question the town’s animal control department posed to the public on social media, as officials tried to figure out how a couple of roosters and their feathered brethren got there. One rooster was caught on Oct. 20, after a different one was spotted on Oct. 17. Animal control shared a photo of one of the birds on social media and asked for the public’s help in solving the mystery. “We are unsure of how many roosters &/or chickens are out in the woods,” the post said. “If you have any information or if these are your escaped poultry — please call ACO at 781-762-3159 so we can safely capture them all.” According to the post, roosters are not allowed to be kept in Norwood, but animal control will “work with owners to safely relocate to an established farm or sanctuary,” the post said. “No penalties apply. Please contact ACO first and we will help.” Advertisement ANGER MISMANAGEMENT We at Blotter Tales aren’t in the business of giving relationship advice ( Meredith Goldstein handles that in the Globe’s "Love Letters" column), but we can say with some certainty that when you’re having a disagreement with your significant other, you should find a safe and healthy outlet to channel your stress and frustrations. You should not put your fist through anything at an MBTA station. But that’s exactly what transpired at Broadway Station in South Boston Oct. 18, when a 30-year-old man punched (and shattered) the window of a T booth after arguing over the phone with his girlfriend. Transit Police said the man would be summoned into court (probably not the best way to impress any girlfriend), and EMS took him to the hospital so his hand injury could be treated. Emily Sweeney can be reached at emily.sweeney@globe.com. Follow her @emilysweeney and on Instagram @emilysweeney22.
