Stolen Packages
Dear Frankie,
My spot in the house is on the top of the couch by the bay window.
From there, I can watch the neighbors come and go, the dogs out for a walk, and the delivery and mail people making their rounds.
The first time I saw Bobby, a 12-year-old boy from the neighborhood, take a package from the Baldwins’ porch, I didn’t think much about it. I figured the package had been mistakenly delivered. I became suspicious, however, when I saw him take another package the next day from a neighbor’s porch. When I saw him take another the following day, there was question that he was stealing packages from the neighbors.
I can’t believe that Bobby, who is generally liked, would steal from Mrs. Baldwin, who is in a wheelchair, the Juarez family, who have little kids, and Ms. Blake, the retired town librarian. Bobby has known these people all his life. Why would he steal from them?
Matthew
Dear Matthew,
He might have done it for the thrill, or as a lark. You said he wasn’t a bad kid, so perhaps he didn’t realize how hurtful his actions would be to his neighbors. Still, that doesn’t excuse taking what isn’t his. What he did was wrong.
I almost hope those packages contained things like adult diapers, medication, a play kitchen, or scented bath soap — items he’d have no interest in. That would serve him right.
Hopefully, after these thefts, your neighbors will consider installing a security system with a recording camera.
Best, Frankie
© 2025 Geneva Woodruff
Comments and letters can be sent to Frankie at dearfrankiecolumn@gmail.com. The Fairhaven Neighborhood News publishes the Dear Frankie column. To receive a free online subscription, readers can email neighbnews@comcast.net, request their name be added to the email list or visit www.neighbnews.com to read the paper online or to download the latest issue.
•••
Click here to download the 1/8/26 issue: 01-08-26 PolarPlunge
Click here to download the shed judgment and memo of decision: 12-29-25 ShedMemo_Judgment
Support local journalism, donate to the Neighb News with PayPal
