By DAVID NICHOL
T-H Staff Writer
Along with holly, mistletoe, worship, Christmas trees and presents, the holiday season also brings out something less pleasant -- thieves on the lookout for easy pickings.
According to Forrest City Police Chief Clarence McNeary, the holidays are times to keep one's guard up.
"You know, just as we go out Christmas shopping, we have burglars and thieves who go out Christmas shopping also," he said. "And the unwary public is their store. This is supposed to be a time of cheer, a time of good will, but there are a lot of people out there who prey upon us."
Two Forrest City families received harsh reminders over the weekend that not everyone has joy to the world or good will toward anyone on their minds.
In both instances, people had Christmas presents stolen from their homes.
On Friday night, the home of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Hare at 655 Laughrun Drive was entered, and all the presents were taken from under their tree. The stolen items included a Sony Playstation 1, clothes, an electric knife, three boom boxes, a home stereo system, and a wet/dry vacuum, among other items.
During the early morning hours of Sunday, Vickie Millbrooks reported that while she slept, someone entered her home at 1010 Smith and took all the presents from under the family's tree. Some items included a coffee maker, food chopper, a Playstation CD and a white Christmas bear.
McNeary said that for home security, along with locking up, the best deterrent to crime is for neighbors to watch out for each other.
"Keep an eye on your neighbors' houses, and ask the neighbors to keep an eye on your house," he said. "And if you have any elderly relatives or friends, go shopping with them, because they are more susceptible to crime."
Homes are not the only Christmas target. Automobiles are another favorite, especially on busy parking lots.
"Basically, don't advertise," he said. "By 'don't advertise,' I mean that as soon as you complete your purchases, put things in your trunk, out of sight. Don't tempt thieves by leaving items in sight. Put them in the trunk of your car and keep your vehicle locked."
He said it is hard to believe, but there are still people who will leave their cars unlocked with presents in them.
Some people relax right after Christmas, and McNeary said that could be a mistake, because potential victims might still be advertising without realizing it.
"People go out and buy big ticket items, especially electronic gear," he said. "They open it and then they have to get rid of the box. And thieves go around and they see those boxes out by the curb. And they know exactly what's in that household."
One thing that may help in that regard is an arrangement made between the city and King Disposal and NEARCO. Large dumpsters will be set up on the Wal-Mart parking lot on Dec. 26, for people to bring in their paper and boxes.
The City of Forrest City, through its contract with King Disposal, will have a dumpster on the Wal-Mart parking lot on Dec. 26, so that people will be able to bring their boxes and wrappings.
NEARCO will also have a trailer there.
"We would be most appreciative if people would bring their boxes by, and it's also a safety precaution," he said, noting that leaving boxes by the curb in front of a house can be an invitation to crooks.
"Thieves come around and they say, 'Oh, these folks have a Playstation' or "These folks have this or that.'"
A Forrest City man was struck by a train while walking on railroad tracks Saturday night.
The Forrest City Police Department reported John Bey Shaw, 42, was struck by the Union Pacific train just after 8 p.m. The accident occurred at the railroad crossing on South Rosser Street.
The investigating officer noted on the report that the victim was too intoxicated to give a statement regarding the accident, and that he was still trying to obtain information from Union Pacific officials.
Shaw's injuries were also unknown at press time.
In another accident, a man airlifted from the scene of a one-vehicle crash Sunday morning is listed in good condition today at The Med Center in Memphis.
The St. Francis County Sheriff's Department reported Paul Kenneth Walker, 31, 718 Mann St., Forrest City, was traveling at a high rate of speed on Turner Road (County Road 206) about 8:30 a.m. when he lost control of his 1986 Ford pickup, causing the vehicle to become airborne and overturn several times. The accident happened about a mile west of the Forrest City city limits.
According to the report, Walker struck a ditch on the south side of the roadway, causing the vehicle to become airborne for about 60 feet before it hit the ground and rolled before traveling about 30 more feet in the air. The vehicle then traveled about 20 more feet before coming to stop, police reported.
In another incident,a police officer responding to a shoplifting call at a local business was involved in an accident Thursday night at the intersection of Washington and Deaderick.
The accident occurred about 9:30 p.m. Officer Johnny Ruffin, 46, said he was traveling north on Washington in a city-owned 2000 Ford with blue lights on, when his vehicle was struck by a 1989 Oldsmobile driven by Phillip Pendleton, 20, 116 Village Gate, Forrest City.
Damage to the patrol car is estimated at $1,500, and damage to Pendleton's vehicle is estimated at $200.
No injuries were reported.
The Forrest City City Council this morning gave Mayor Larry Bryant permission to purchase a new boiler for the civic center.
Bryant said the boiler would cost between $5,000 and $9,000, and he can only make purchases up to $5,000 without going through the bidding process, unless given permission by the council.
Today's the day that children of all ages have been waiting for, almost as much as they wait for Christmas itself.
The Monday and Tuesday editions of the Times-Herald will feature Santa letters which have been sent in to the paper by local children.
Most of the letters will be in today's paper. Those we couldn't get in today will run on Tuesday.
For anyone who missed the deadline, don't worry. All letters will be forwarded directly to Santa at the North Pole.
In spite of earlier concerns, the St. Francis County's food box drive was a success, Catherine Freeman said this morning.
"God is the head of our program, and God spoke to the hearts of people in the community," she said. "We were able to give 640 boxes for unfortunate families in our community. I hope no one was left out."
She continued, "I want to wish a blessed Christmas and a happy New Year to everyone who participated and those who did not."
The Times-Herald will be closed Wednesday, Dec. 25, for the Christmas holiday.
In addition, several local and state offices will be closing on Tuesday and Wednesday for Christmas.
Normal business hours will resume on Thursday, Dec. 26.