Can't blame full moon for this nonsense: Officers, citizens show considerable restraint

After reading a news release from Greenfield Police Chief Tim Hester for the second time, the thought crossed my mind that his officers exercised considerable professionalism – and restraint – during a Saturday afternoon standoff on Waddell Street. (Which I'd just driven down the day before.)

Greenfield police officers were called to a residence on a report of an armed, and allegedly suicidal male. Not good.

Officers determined that no one else was inside the home, and a police negotiator was called.

Nearby homes were evacuated. The area was contained by officers and the Hillsboro/Greenfield Joint Special Response Team.

Patient police officers negotiated with the suspect for three hours. Finally, the man exited the front door of the home and walked out into the street with a loaded shotgun. And again, officers showed tremendous restraint.

Once outside the house, the man was distracted by officers while another officer was able to move from behind cover and taser the suspect.

To officers' credit, no one was hurt during the ordeal.

Greenfield residents should take comfort in the professionalism demonstrated by Chief Hester's department. Once they secured the scene, they remained vigilant – yet calm – and managed to bring the incident to a peaceful resolution.

Great work, Officers. And thank you for your service.

* * *

Was there a full moon over the weekend? Granted, it's really hard to tell this time of year.

With four straight days of rain and less than 45 minutes of daylight, most of us in southern Ohio haven't seen the moon – or the sun, for that matter – since late October.

However, given the weekend activities of a number of area miscreants, one has to wonder if there may have been some lunar interference.

Consider:

• In addition to the aforementioned standoff in Greenfield, police officers in Hillsboro followed a shoplifting suspect from one side of Harry Sauner Road to the other. A 29-year-old man was found in the back seat of a car, changing clothes, no less.

It wasn't immediately clear if he was changing into recently acquired duds or if he simply planned ahead and figured he'd need to change his appearance after ripping off a big box store.

(Good Lord, did it ever occur to the moron that there's nothing in those stores worth stealing?)

• On Saturday, Dec. 8 at approximately 2:36 p.m., the Hillsboro Police Department received a call from a local fast-food restaurant in reference to a complaint from the restaurant of a male subject "acting up."

A restaurant employee told officers that the man was bothering customers and employees, and asking for "free stuff."

When employees gave the man a free bottle of water, he wanted his money back. No kidding.

(You just can't make this stuff up.)

• And then there were the two Adams County men who were arrested Sunday by the Hillsboro Police Department after they failed to leave a North West Street business.

They were warned. They were given an opportunity to leave. But they returned. One was arrested for consuming underage and criminal trespassing, and the other for criminal trespassing.

These guys were about as bright as a lunar eclipse.

• Another inconsiderate idiot (i.e., donkey cavity) shot a very sweet family pet off Concord Road for no good reason.

I happen to know the dog that was shot, as her aunt is our own black lab, Mocha. These dogs are sweeter than brown sugar and wouldn't hurt a soul. Yet, for some incomprehensible reason, the donkey cavity decided to fire a .22 rifle shell into the animal (which was – as all evidence indicates – unarmed.)

The shooter must be real proud.

The dog's owners, meanwhile, have exercised similar restraint as the local police officers. But I can't help but wonder: How much restraint should a civilized society continue to show for an obviously demented underclass that shows no such respect for others?

My old man used to protect his property with the famous security firm, Ruger, Smith, & Wesson. We've always found their services to be up to most challenges.

Maybe it's just me, but it sure seems like we're cultivating a new society that has far too much free time and far too little common sense and respect.

Generational entitlement will do that, I suppose.

Rory Ryan is publisher and owner of The Highland County Press.