Historical February 1982 report or notice. Original dates, prices and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
Shortly before Christmas Herman Shields looked out the front window.
It was around 11 a.m. and since he had just been laid off from work he was home that day. Across the street two men were on a neighbor’s front porch, ringing the doorbell. Suspiciously, they went around the side of the house, then returned to the porch.
When they began to hammer and chisel on the front door Herman went to his phone.
It wasn’t working.
He went to a neighbor’s and called 911, then returned to watch. Suddenly, as a car came down the street the men ran.
The police came quickly and Herman was on hand to point them in the direction of the fleeing two.
With another neighbor they tracked down the owners of the house, both working, and Herman volunteered to identify the suspects.
He and the owner went to the Police Station.
The two suspects were not from the neighborhood, but Herman, alert and willing to act, is a resident.
The kind of neighborhood spirit and caring he showed made the holidays much brighter for the family across the street, and for all neighbors who can point to his action as living proof that blockwatching does work. Your neighborhood thanks you, Herman Shields!
Originally published in The Paper, February 1982.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times1982_02.pdf, printed page(s) 1; PDF page(s) 1.
