“You're the one making it complicated.”
Her mouth closed.
The second officer walked up.
He spoke quietly to the first.
The first officer’s expression shifted.
He looked toward the HOA President.
“Ma’am.”
“What?”
“Apparently there are two additional calls.”
Her face went still.
“About what?”
“Similar incidents.”
The porch became silent.
The little boy looked toward his sister.
She whispered:
“She did more?”
The second officer explained.
Two streets away, another homeowner had reviewed his security camera after discovering that almost all of the expensive candy on his porch disappeared at once.
A woman matching the same description appeared.
Pink blouse.
Floral pants.
Large sunglasses.
Beige handbag.
The HOA President’s composure finally began cracking.
“This is coordinated.”
The officer frowned.
“What is?”
“These people.”
She waved toward the neighbors.
“They have been fighting with the board for months.”
The homeowner stared.
“I've never spoken to you outside the annual meeting.”
“That does not mean you aren't involved.”
“Involved in what?”
“Undermining me.”
The officer said:
“Ma’am, nobody said anything about undermining you.”
The woman looked at him.
“You don't understand this neighborhood.”
“That may be true.”
He pointed toward the handbag.
“But I understand property.”
The woman tightened her grip on it.
The officer continued.
“If the candy belongs to these homeowners, the simplest thing you can do right now is return it.”
The HOA President hesitated.
Everyone noticed.
She could have ended the immediate confrontation.
Open the bag.
Return the candy.
Explain herself later.
Instead, she said:
“No.”
The officer nodded slowly.
“Okay.”
The tone changed.
The woman heard it.
“What does that mean?”
“It means now we document everything.”
She laughed.
“Over candy?”
The officer remained calm.
“Over repeated reports of property being taken from several residences.”
“Property.”
“Yes.”
“It’s Halloween candy.”
“It being inexpensive doesn't make it yours.”
She looked around.
Neighbors had begun gathering.
Parents whispered.
Children stared.
The HOA President suddenly seemed aware of how visible she had become.
She tried another approach.
She smiled.
“Officer, perhaps I haven't explained this properly.”
He waited.
“I am responsible for maintaining neighborhood standards.”
“Okay.”
“We have had increasing complaints about competitive decorations, oversized giveaways, excessive lighting, and homeowners trying to attract children from outside the development.”
The homeowner stared.
“Children from outside?”
“Yes.”
“You have a problem with children coming here for Halloween?”
“That is not what I said.”
“It sounded pretty close.”
The woman became frustrated.
“This is a private community.”
The little boy’s father interrupted.
“No.”
Everyone turned.
He pointed toward the street.
“Public roads.”
The HOA President’s face tightened.
“Our association maintains standards.”
The father nodded.