Blue Ash woman, 89, arrested for keeping football

[euro60]

As a long time Blue Ash resident, you can only imagine what I'm thinking of this story (http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20081020/NEWS01/310200028)... Surely not Bue Ash's finest moment :rolleyes::eek:

Anyway, I like one of the comments posted: "tie up a vicious dog in the yard and let's see if the kids will still come into the yard for the football". Haha!


Woman, 89, arrested for keeping football

By Jennifer Baker • jbaker@enquirer.com • October 20, 2008

BLUE ASH – An 89-year-old woman fed up with neighborhood children repeatedly throwing a football in her yard was arrested and charged with petty theft after she took the ball and refused to give it back, Blue Ash police said.

Edna Jester was cited to appear in Blue Ash Mayor’s Court Nov. 12, said Blue Ash Police Capt. James Schaffer.

Officers were called about 6:30 p.m. Thursday to her home in the 4900 block of Myrtle Avenue by one of the children’s fathers, Schaffer said.

The football apparently was thrown into Jester’s yard, and it wasn’t the first time, he said. The issue has been an ongoing dispute in the neighborhood, he said.

When police asked Jester to return the ball to the children, she refused. They warned her twice she would be charged if she did not cooperate, Schaffer said. They tried to give her a citation, but she refused to sign for it, he said.

Left with no other choice, he said, officers placed her in the back of a cruiser, took her to the police station and booked her, he said. She was cited to appear in court and released.

Jester could not be reached this morning for comment.

“She is certainly not considered a troublemaker,” Schaffer said.

[drougan]

As a long time Blue Ash resident, you can only imagine what I'm thinking of this story (http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20081020/NEWS01/310200028)... Surely not Bue Ash's finest moment :rolleyes::eek:

[/COLOR]


Thrown in or thrown into her yard?

If the kids are trespassing then why does anyone care?

[Macpherson]

i'm surprised that they were able to take two cops off of speed trap duty to address this.:rolleyes:

[Measure Up!]

I say fire up old sparky.

Seriously though, the lady should have handed it to the police. Being old doesn't make you above the law.

[taylor]

I can't blame her . . . many kids don't respect much these days. Still she should havegiven the ball to the cops . . . after she stabbed it with a knitting needle. :p

[lutz]

Seriously though, the lady should have handed it to the police. Being old doesn't make you above the law.But it does make you stubborn as hell.

[Predot listener]

I'm kind of surprised at this. If an object is repeatedly discarded on someone's property, why wouldn't possession of that item be considered relinquished?

[Nellie Bly]

Is it that hard to say "I'm sorry Mrs. ___, can I have my ball back?".

Do you need to get the police involved? Or do you use it as an opportunity to teach your kid a lesson? Mainly, be responsible for your own stuff, if it goes somewhere it isn't supposed to don't be surprised if it's gone forever.

[Duemellon]

...do you use it as an opportunity to teach your kid a lesson? Mainly, be responsible for your own stuff, if it goes somewhere it isn't supposed to don't be surprised if it's gone forever.Man, truer words can't be spoken. Except you should probably end that by saying something about condoms.

[Tweeks_Coffee]

Man, truer words can't be spoken. Except you should probably end that by saying something about condoms.

...do you use it as an opportunity to teach your kid a lesson? Mainly, be responsible for your own stuff, if it goes somewhere it isn't supposed to don't be surprised if it's gone forever, including condoms.

Better?



Yeah, the old bag should've coughed it up to the cops. I doubt I would've been the parent to call the cops, though, make the kid go get it himself. Pretty sure I lost one or two toys because I was unwilling to go get it.

[drougan]

Actually what I think the old woman should have done was toss the damn ball back over the fence and moved on with her life. She doesn't have many years left. :rolleyes:

Man, truer words can't be spoken. Except you should probably end that by saying something about condoms.

Well played, but then again, that's more about making sure your stuff doesn't come back to haunt you

[dannyboy]

If I were the old lady, I would tell all, including the police, that I picked the ball up with the intention of giving it back but I forgot where I placed it. Being that she's 89, I don't think anyone would argue with the dementia defense. ;)

[dannyboy]

some awesome reader comments to the story...


the little old lady should have put the football in the back seat of her car and left it there on a hot day and just claimed she forgot where she put it... she wouldn't have been arrested at all then

Maybe we can get her to play linebacker for the Bengals. We need to have someone take the ball away from the other team.

Mike Brown and Marvin Lewis take note..... 89 yr old lady recovers fumble and takes it to the house!!! Sign her before the Steelers do.

[euro60]

I'm kind of surprised at this. If an object is repeatedly discarded on someone's property, why wouldn't possession of that item be considered relinquished?

That's a good question, to which I don't know the answer. It's also not clear to me on what specific charge or statutory code provision the woman was arrested and booked.

There are in fact a lot of factual 'holes' in this story.

I'd love to attend the Nov. 12 Mayor's Court hearing. If it is in the evening (which I think it is), I'll probably end up doing just that. That woman is a hero. A true patriot!

[WalterSobchak]

Well the kids obviously should have put on their PF Flyers, jumped the fence and tried to get the ball back. Even if this plan failed they would have been able to find out that the lady was in fact just lonely and was willing to give them a different football signed by members of various championship teams.

[jcarwash31]

I'm kind of surprised at this. If an object is repeatedly discarded on someone's property, why wouldn't possession of that item be considered relinquished?
I don't know that "discarded" would be the right word. The kid isn't trying to discard the football, presumably. He's just not very good at keeping it in his yard.

[Predot listener]

I don't know that "discarded" would be the right word. The kid isn't trying to discard the football, presumably. He's just not very good at keeping it in his yard.

And I'm just wondering at what point it should no longer be considered his ball. Presumably, this old hag wasn't giving the ball back to him voluntarily, so he must have trespassed to return it on previous occasions. This just seems like a very strange resolution to this series of events. It always seemed to me that if there was one neighbor who wouldn't let you go into his/her yard to get your ball back, and the ball subsequently landed in his/her yard, then it was you who was out of luck, not the neighbor.

[Duemellon]

It always seemed to me that if there was one neighbor who wouldn't let you go into his/her yard to get your ball back, and the ball subsequently landed in his/her yard, then it was you who was out of luck, not the neighbor.Well, someone lied to you then.

If my dog shits on your lawn every day & digs up your petunias, never, at any point, does my dog become your dog. I'm bothering you. I'm tresspassing (in effect). But you never gain possession.

Same as if I dropped a $10 on your lawn. If you saw me do it. If there were witnesses or some way I could prove it was my $10 you're a theif if you keep it. Even if I dropped the same $10 at about the same area repeatedly. It's still mine. Unless I, at some point, seem to be making an effort to discard it as trash or offer it to you as a gift.

[frizgolf]

I get a kick out of stories like this.

[berzerker]

Well, someone lied to you then.

If my dog shits on your lawn every day & digs up your petunias, never, at any point, does my dog become your dog. I'm bothering you. I'm tresspassing (in effect). But you never gain possession.

Same as if I dropped a $10 on your lawn. If you saw me do it. If there were witnesses or some way I could prove it was my $10 you're a theif if you keep it. Even if I dropped the same $10 at about the same area repeatedly. It's still mine. Unless I, at some point, seem to be making an effort to discard it as trash or offer it to you as a gift.


Actually, it's your dog's crap, and my previously intact petunias that are transformed into crap, that become my property. I don't want those things. Perhaps I build a trebuchet to return them to you?

I think the tresspassing thing is really the key problem, not the possession of items left in the yard.

I suppose it comes down to this:
You can ask permission to get the ball returned to you, but you should have asked permission to use my yard in any capacity.

[wileE]

I get a kick out of stories like this.
Don't even start.

You would think the cops would have investigated a little more. Maybe that was left out of the article.

[Predot listener]

Well, someone lied to you then.

If my dog shits on your lawn every day & digs up your petunias, never, at any point, does my dog become your dog. I'm bothering you. I'm tresspassing (in effect). But you never gain possession.

Same as if I dropped a $10 on your lawn. If you saw me do it. If there were witnesses or some way I could prove it was my $10 you're a theif if you keep it. Even if I dropped the same $10 at about the same area repeatedly. It's still mine. Unless I, at some point, seem to be making an effort to discard it as trash or offer it to you as a gift.

Well no one lied to me. If the ball went over into the mean old lady's yard who didn't want me there, and she kept the ball, I was out of luck. Because I (or anyone else I know) never would have been such a whiner as to call the cops over it.

And you're probably right about the ball always belonging to the kid. Call me skeptical that it should.

FWIW, I've sailed (and continue to sail) thousands of balls into neighbors' yards, and I'm unlikely to ever protest those balls coming into mine. I just think any kind of citation for a woman for not returning something that was repeatedly tossed in her yard, despite her protestations, is flat out asinine.

[berzerker]

Same as if I dropped a $10 on your lawn. If you saw me do it. If there were witnesses or some way I could prove it was my $10 you're a theif if you keep it. Even if I dropped the same $10 at about the same area repeatedly. It's still mine. Unless I, at some point, seem to be making an effort to discard it as trash or offer it to you as a gift.

Forgot to say... littering is a crime. If you drop something onto my property, and make no immediate effort to reclaim it, I consider that littering.

You are going down the path of the item having value... seems like it works the other way, too. If the thing that's left on my yard is of no intrinsic value, then it still could belong to you, for purposes of me filing charges against you littering.

How I choose to proceed with your waste - throw it away, keep it, deposit it into my bank account, press charges - that's up to me.

[jcarwash31]

Well no one lied to me. If the ball went over into the mean old lady's yard who didn't want me there, and she kept the ball, I was out of luck. Because I (or anyone else I know) never would have been such a whiner as to call the cops over it.

FWIW, I've sailed (and continue to sail) thousands of balls into neighbors' yards, and I'm unlikely to ever protest those balls coming into mine. I just think any kind of citation for a woman for not returning something that was repeatedly tossed in her yard, despite her protestations, is flat out asinine.
See, here's your problem... common sense went out the window a long time ago. Nowadays, daddy says his kid can throw his ball wherever he wants and you'll give it back, unless you want to get the cops involved.

It is asinine.

[Angel30]

Well the kids obviously should have put on their PF Flyers, jumped the fence and tried to get the ball back. Even if this plan failed they would have been able to find out that the lady was in fact just lonely and was willing to give them a different football signed by members of various championship teams.

:D:D:D

I think the parent's are at fault here for calling the cops. If the older woman asked them to stay out of her yard, then they (parent's and kids) were disrespecting her and the kids were just getting their karmic retribution. Plus, what if one of the kids were hurt in her yard? Would the parent's sue the old lady for x,y or z reason? :confused:

[Arkansas]

It could have been worse.


http://www.landscapeonline.com/research/article/6696

[frizgolf]

Don't even start.

Okay, I won't go the whole nine yards. I gave you my two cents, and you gave me a quarter back. You're the first downer I've had today. These forums are a dangerous place and my goal is safety. My lips are tight-ened.

[jcarwash31]

The kids still don't have the ball. It's evidence now.

[Artpunchehorse]

She holds on to the ball better than the Bengals

[Mantra]

Well the kids obviously should have put on their PF Flyers, jumped the fence and tried to get the ball back. Even if this plan failed they would have been able to find out that the lady was in fact just lonely and was willing to give them a different football signed by members of various championship teams.

Points for your creative solution. And an amusing PF Flyers mention, too... ;)

[wileE]

The kids still don't have the ball. It's evidence now.
I thought that was funny.

If the Dad had any balls (NO PUN INTENDED!!!), he would have gone over with his son, made him apologize and ask for the ball back. If she said I'll give it back next Saturday or some other time, then the kid would have to accept that (and dad, too).

Call the cops. What a weenie.

[frizgolf]

(NO PUNT INTENDED!!!)

Laces out, Dan.

[markus]

If the Dad had any balls (NO PUN INTENDED!!!), he would have gone over with his son, made him apologize and ask for the ball back. If she said I'll give it back next Saturday or some other time, then the kid would have to accept that (and dad, too).

Call the cops. What a weenie.Excellent observation! I'm totally rooting for Grandma on this one. Sounds like she has a bunch of asses in her neighborhood. I hope Paul can make the court date and give us a full report!

[wileE]

Excellent observation! I'm totally rooting for Grandma on this one. Sounds like she has a bunch of asses in her neighborhood. I hope Paul can make the court date and give us a full report!
Well, in the Enquirer this morning, they had that story. The father mentioned that she has repeatedly stated kids should stay out of her yard. He also mentioned that he had mowed her yard on occasion (for free). He made it sound like things were OK, but I doubt it.

[drougan]

Oooh oooh...To fuel the fire (cause I'm just in that kinda mood this morning)

To throw a football in such a way that it lands in your neighbors yard could easily be interpreted as negligent use of the football and an invasion of the neighbors privacy. So there. :p

[jcarwash31]

negligent use of the football
Brad Childress has that covered.

[WalterSobchak]

Points for your creative solution. And an amusing PF Flyers mention, too... ;)

You're killing me, Smalls!

[euro60]

Excellent observation! I'm totally rooting for Grandma on this one. Sounds like she has a bunch of asses in her neighborhood. I hope Paul can make the court date and give us a full report!

I finally read the full Enquirer article... Still lots of questions in my mind. And yes, I do plan to attend the Nov. 12 Mayor's Court session (assuming it's in the evening). But let me be clear, my sympathy is with 89 yr. granny!!!!

[Angel30]

I finally read the full Enquirer article... Still lots of questions in my mind. And yes, I do plan to attend the Nov. 12 Mayor's Court session (assuming it's in the evening). But let me be clear, my sympathy is with 89 yr. granny!!!!

As is mine. That kid worked ALL SUMMER and all he could afford was ONE football? Seriously? Do caddies not made that much or something? :confused: Anyway, when I was growing up we learned rules, boundaries, respect, etc. If you did something wrong, you were punished. You didn't like it, but your parent's, if they were worth their salt, didn't call the police if your neighbor kept your ball. :rolleyes:

[mishka77]

Yeah, but people who are sooo protective of their yards are really weird. OMG, you stepped on MY grass! At least she didn't shoot any kids.

[frizgolf]

There's one on every block. We had to be quick to get our ball back in the ol' lady's yard across the street. She had her nephew grab 'em and keep 'em. (Poor kid had his butt kicked a lot.) The cops got tired of her calling 'em, and they'd pull up the street real slow to give us a chance to scatter.

[Fourthisto]

I always felt bad when we would play "keep away" at school and I was the one in the middle. And now I know why.

It's illegal.

And yes, I do plan to attend the Nov. 12 Mayor's Court session (assuming it's in the evening). Can I come along too? I want to bring about a dozen Nerf footballs with me, that we can toss around with strangers outside the courtroom. If one of them runs away with the ball after I throw it to them (towards either designated end zone) I will scream "I'VE BEEN ROBBED".

Pathetic.

[wileE]

Yeah, but people who are sooo protective of their yards are really weird. OMG, you stepped on MY grass! At least she didn't shoot any kids.
Yes, it is. Our neighbor is like that. He felt the need to come talk to me because I didn't mow a straight line between our yards and then mowed over about 12" the following week.

[frizgolf]

Yes, it is. Our neighbor is like that. He felt the need to come talk to me because I didn't mow a straight line between our yards and then mowed over about 12" the following week.

Time for a hedge.

[Angel30]

Yeah, but people who are sooo protective of their yards are really weird. OMG, you stepped on MY grass! At least she didn't shoot any kids.

I agree. I just think that, while kids are just kids and pretty much only think of themselves at any given moment, the kids would want to stay away from her yard. I mean, this sounds like an ongoing thing...if she were that creepy old lady, wouldn't you try to stay away from her? *shrug*

I think that an opportunity to treat this as a good lesson in responsibility and respectability to older people was lost here. The dad should have made the kid, if he really wanted his "hard-earned" ball back, go to the neighbor, have him admit he was at fault, apologize and ask if he could have his ball back. Flat out calling the cops and letting her get arrested is teaching the wrong message.

All the ageist remarks on the boards lately I find troubling. Just remember: we all aren't that far away from being that age. How do you want to be treated when you are?

[silentpaul]

Yes, it is. Our neighbor is like that. He felt the need to come talk to me because I didn't mow a straight line between our yards and then mowed over about 12" the following week.

Time for a hedge.

Meticulously groomed.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u235/kinksrobaine/bush.jpg

[markalot]

Meticulously groomed.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u235/kinksrobaine/bush.jpg

I'd hit it .....

[tori]

Danny, those quotes are priceless.

We were discussing this at work today (and enemas, too, for some reason; imagine 4 females in a car together all day--we're worse than hairdressers. anyway...) and my boss said this story was on INSIDE EDITION last night. It's blowing up so much and it's so nutty.

Semi-related: the neighborhood kids on my street are always tearing up and down the sidewalk, through everyone's yards, and one of them left their Razor scooter on the sidewalk in front of our porch one night last week. It was some night that it rained, whenever that was. I put the scooter up on our porch so it wouldn't rust, but I'd be lying if I said that I didn't want to take it inside the garage and hide it from the little hellions. I'm going to be this woman when I'm 89.

[Mantra]

I agree. I just think that, while kids are just kids and pretty much only think of themselves at any given moment, the kids would want to stay away from her yard. I mean, this sounds like an ongoing thing...if she were that creepy old lady, wouldn't you try to stay away from her? *shrug*

I think that an opportunity to treat this as a good lesson in responsibility and respectability to older people was lost here. The dad should have made the kid, if he really wanted his "hard-earned" ball back, go to the neighbor, have him admit he was at fault, apologize and ask if he could have his ball back. Flat out calling the cops and letting her get arrested is teaching the wrong message.
All the ageist remarks on the boards lately I find troubling. Just remember: we all aren't that far away from being that age. How do you want to be treated when you are?

I agree with you completely. And I have to say I think that the adults are more at fault than the kids are in this case. They totally abdicated a valuable parental moment to teach the kids some respect for their elders. Calling the police was wussing out.

[Dirk]

I think the kids are probably brats, but the old lady is still a bitch. I didn't see any mention of a fence in any of the articles, nor any mention of damage being caused to her yard. If she doesn't have a fence and they aren't causing damage, why exactly is she bitching? And the fact she wouldn't give the ball to the cops pretty much seals the fact that she is just a crotchety old biddy. I can understand not giving the ball to the kids, but when the cops are called and he asks for the ball, why do you nbot give it to him? At that point, you are just causing trouble.

[Duemellon]

Respect is 1st given the opportunity & then it is earned. No one can earn respect from anyone else if the room isn't given.

This old lady seems meanspirited. The kids seem like stupid kids. The parents of the kids,... idunno... for me it depends on more than them calling the cops. There has to be more of a history to this than what we're seeing.

I mean, isn't it possible the 'rents told the kids not to play there anymore, told the old lady, but the old lady still won't give the ball back? Isn't it possible the old lady took the ball & rants at the kids all day? Isn't it possible the 'rents decided it'd be better to have the officials do their work instead of going over there, confront an old lady & continue escalating the yelling?

Valuable lessons & all that... yah. The bottom line is, when it comes down to it, getting the cops involved, technically, is the best way to resolve it because it puts it in the hands of the officials instead of a neighbor dispute.