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 suburbs.
SNAKE ON THE LOOSE
Just before 6 p.m. Aug. 28, Salem police responded to a report of a large snake found in a backyard on Irving Street. With the help of neighbors, the 5-foot boa was picked up and taken to the Salem police station. Judging by the snake’s disposition, police said, the reptile appeared to be a pet, because it was so friendly with people when it was held. The snake was given to the animal control officer for safe keeping until its owner could be located.
IT DIDN’T LOOK LIKE A TOY
On the morning of Aug. 15, Danvers police were dispatched to check on a report of a man carrying a rifle on Centre Street. It turned out not to be a real firearm. The man told police it was a toy rifle; apparently he found it in the trash and, after taking a closer look, decided it wasn’t worth keeping and threw it in the woods. The man showed police where he discarded the Daisy brand pellet gun, and officers took it back to the station so it could be destroyed.
LEAVE THAT POLE ALONE
On June 17, Bridgewater police received a report of a man “possibly tampering with a telephone pole.’’ A cruiser was sent to check, and police said the man was only hanging up signs advertising a yard sale.
HELP, WE NEED SUPERVISION
At 4:06 p.m. Aug. 19, Bellingham police received several 911 calls from someone on R. Belanger Drive requesting a limousine, and each time the caller promptly hung up. Officers showed up at the home and spoke to two juveniles who were making the calls, and confirmed that there was no emergency. The police advised the youngsters of the appropriate use of the 911 system.
UH, IT’S NOT RECALCULATING
At 4:02 a.m. Aug. 27, a Peabody police detective reported that a vehicle had gone off the roadway near the Salem Country Club on Forest Street. The driver told the detective that his GPS had directed him into the woods. The detective documented the incident and sent the driver on his way, presumably with better directions.
WHO NEEDS KEYS, ANYWAY?
At 10:57 p.m. Aug. 15, Winthrop police received a call from a woman who said she saw someone climb up her fire escape and never come back down. Officers dispatched to the scene tracked down the climber, who turned out to be a neighbor who had misplaced her keys and was seeking an alternative route into her apartment. Police reported that she successfully gained entry.
LOOK, NO CARS!
What makes for a successful surprise party? For one thing, ask your guests not to park nearby, because you don’t want the guest of honor to see their cars. Whoever hosted the soiree on Wildlife Drive in Hopkinton did precisely that, and pulled it off very well, because at 9:27 p.m. Aug. 13, police received a report from a concerned citizen who noticed a party going on inside the house and thought it suspicious because there were no cars in the driveway. Officers went to the house and spoke to the homeowner, who was hosting a surprise baby shower.
HOME ON THE RANGE
At 9:49 a.m. Aug. 16, Walpole police heard from a resident on Granite Street who found a dozen golf balls in his yard. He wasn’t sure where they came from, or how they got there. A neighbor trying out a new club, perhaps?
SHIRTLESS BLOWHARD
At 7:06 p.m. Aug. 26, Beverly police received a report of a shirtless man “blowing kisses’’ on Dodge Street. Officers searched the area but couldn’t find anyone fitting that description or blowing kisses.
PRESIDENTIAL PLUNDER
Another few days, another campaign sign caper. On Aug. 2, Watertown police were informed that a Donald Trump flag and flagpole were stolen from a home on Dunton Road. Three days later, police were told that another Trump flag had gone missing in Watertown, this time from a home on Carroll Street. On Aug. 29 in Peabody, meanwhile, police learned that a Hillary Clinton sign was vandalized on Lowell Street in their city.
Emily Sweeney can be reached at esweeney@globe.com. Follow her on Twitter @emilysweeney.
