About Me

My photo
Artists who paints in oil en plein aire. Member of the three member Plein Aire Cottage Artists. Members: Mary Rose Holmes, Violetta Chandler and Helen Tilston

Monday, August 19, 2013

Up On The Roof

It is going on for midnight and the teens are still perched on the peaked roof of the house, across the street and one cried "stop, no pushing".   My heart pounds.
Our home is on the 12th Floor of the building and sound travels upwards.  My voice will not carry to them and it is futile to even try and call to them.  I would only succeed in disturbing my neighbours who, God knows, might think I was in trouble and call the police.   There are street noises and music from an outdoor festival some streets away.

I pluck up courage and call 911.  The Dispatcher assures me that the police will be along shortly and take my name and credentials.    Ten minutes later the police arrive. My phone rings and it is the officer asking if the youngsters are still on the roof.  From my balcony I tell Mr Policeman that I can see him, he waves and simultaneously he sees the rooftop revellers.   He walks around and then calls to them. He shines a spotlight on them and all scurry and disappear to the rear of the home (they used a ladder)

The Officer knocks on the door of the party house and chats. There are no arrests, no injuries and the police go on their merry way and peace is restored.   I breathe a sign of relief and give thanks.

Thank you for your comments.



31 comments:

  1. Hello Helen,

    Thanks goodness everything was alright and no one was hurt in the end. You did the right thing by calling; such a good citizen!

    Thanks for updating us and have a pleasant day!

    Poppy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello Poppy

      It was a tough call but I was glad when I finally dialled 911 and the Dispather assured me I did the right thing.
      Hope your week is special
      Helen xx

      Delete
  2. What a story...I think you handle the good way.
    I love the picture with the pink flowers.

    Have a nice day,
    Greetings,
    Inge, my choice

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello Inge

      Thank you for your support. Hope your week is joyful
      Helenx

      Delete
  3. A sigh of relief here too. Thanks for sharing the ending of the story. You can sleep well now, knowing you absolutely did the right thing Helen. All's well that ends well.
    Sam

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello Sam

      It was a difficult call. One does not want to be a spoil sport and also not to bother the police who often have more serious matters. Then I thought one boy's life should not be left to chance.
      Hope you have a wonderful week
      Helen xx

      Delete
  4. So glad you told us the happy ending, Helen...I can't work out who the saint is, but he must have been looking over those young people!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello Patricia

      Glad you feel I did the right thing. The saint is St. Declan, an Irish saint, whose statue is in a church in Ardmore, Ireland.
      Helenxx

      Delete
    2. Oh, St Declan - we used to live in a parish with a St Declan's church, but I have never seen a statue of him or known any information. Thank you Helen.

      Delete
  5. Hi Helen, I am relieved to hear everything turned out okay. You did the right thing by calling the police. Thank goodness no one was hurt.

    Hope you are enjoying the lovely weather we have been getting!

    cheers,
    Louise

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Louise, It was not an easy decision but when I thought better err and be safe I knew I must call.
      The police handed the situation beautifully.
      Helen xx

      Delete
  6. Good for you, Helen! I think I would have done the same thing. You read so often of a tragedy and then the more tragic reports that something could have been prevented if only a witness had intervened or taken that one little action. Bravo for making that call!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello Jackie

      What you say is so true and your words did come to mind.There is always a bully or smarty pants in each group who dare.
      Helenxx

      Delete
  7. The youth of today, seem to become more daring all the time. You did the right thing.
    What a thing to go through, one of them could have fallen of the roof.
    Wondered if that is st. Patrick.. but i am not sure.. !!
    Hope all is well , with good weather there in Florida..
    val x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello Valerie,
      Yes the younger folks seem more athletic and daring.I did fear one might fall or get pushed and then how could I live with my indecision. The saint is St. Declan and has a church dedicated to him in Ardmore, Ireland.
      Helen xx

      Delete
  8. Wow...what a tale. It was a great idea to call the police. Makes one wonder.... Good to see you Helen! xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello Mona

      Thanks for assuring me that I made the correct decision. Thank you for the welcome, I have been travelling and now back for a little while, so hope to catch up on my favourite blogs

      Helenx

      Delete
  9. Helen - Thanks for following up, and I'm glad all turned out fine. Thank goodness!
    Cheers,
    Loi

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Loi. It did all work out well and I slept peacefully.
      Helenxx

      Delete
  10. Oh thank goodness Helen but you are a tad sneaky for keeping us hanging on for so long!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello Heather
      It worked out well. Sorry to have kept you hanging. I have been away and lots of art related meetings and painting. I hope to catch up on my favourite bloggers
      Helenxx

      Delete
  11. Ah, the post I've been waiting for. I knew you were too kind, Helen, to base a cliffhanger on another person's misfortune, so was confident it was all going to end well. It's good to know how the situation resolved. Well done.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello Mise
      How lovely to see you back blogging and commenting.
      You are a good detective and know me all too well. Hope you are having a great summer

      Helen xx

      Delete
  12. Glad everything was resolved satisfactorily Helen.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello Rosemary

      Yes I must say I was happy when they all shuffled off the roof. Their Batman style costumers would not have helped them if one slipped.
      Helenx

      Delete
  13. Τhe happy end was so alleviative!Hope you are doing fine Helen ang still enjoying warm summer days!
    Best wishes for a wonderful week end!

    ReplyDelete
  14. I had to make one of those calls, once. I was on my way home, when I saw a couple arguing loudly by a car, in the middle of a field. I stopped the car to see what was going on: loud screams and arguing were followed by a fight. The man and the woman were engaged in a truly violent fight. When the woman was thrown onto the car bonnet I dialled 999 (U K) and called the police. I mainly did it because if anyone had been killed, I would have felt guilty.

    So, Helen, you did do the right thing. Well done!

    Hugs
    Anna
    Xxx

    ReplyDelete
  15. Good for you Helen! Glad all worked out well...those teens are very fortunate to have had you call, little do they know what could have befell them (no pun intended actually), youth is so brave and blind.
    You're a hero!
    xo J~

    ReplyDelete
  16. Helen, my dear, I think you did the right thing. It's better to be safe than sorry. I would regret for not picking up that phone if something did happen. Thankfully, there was nothing wrong with the party loving teenagers. It was a courgeous thing to do and talk to the police.

    Best wishes, ASD xxx

    ReplyDelete