POLICE PATROLLING STREETS OF NAPERVILLE

Naperville's original police and fire station was located on the south side of Jefferson Street.  Back in 1954 it was torn down and replaced with a large, modern building on the other side of the street, but not everyone was pleased with this development.  In my opinion, the exterior of the old building had been more interesting; had more character.

Serious crime in our little town was nearly non-existent in the 1950's.  Little kids like my brother Kurt and I were free to go about our business playing house, cowboys and Indians, and cops and robbers.  I remember us walking down the street with our wagon in tow when two little boys asked to play with us.

"Sure," I said, "but you'll have to be the bad guys."

After they agreed, I got out a long piece of rope and tied up their hands and legs.  I smirked, knowing that I would never trust another kid to tie me up.  I stuffed both of them inside the wagon, with the taller boy's legs hanging over the back.  Then I informed them that we were going to transport them to the police station which was seven blocks away.  I expected the boys to become scared and start yelling.  When they didn't, I did, in fact, head towards downtown Naperville.  Gosh, these kids were gullible.

I laughed to myself as I envisioned the look on the officer's face at the front desk as I brought in these two lawless characters.  Most probably he would play along with me.  Then, a few blocks later, a police car drove past and I lost my nerve.  

"Okay," I told the patient little boys inside our wagon, "you can go home now."

The public is invited to attend the Book Launch Open House for Kathy Keroson's newly-released book, "My Hometown - Naperville" on Sunday,  April 27, 2014, from 1-4 p.m. at the Pre-Emption House at Naper Settlement.  For further information, go to www.myhometownnaperville.com