Police Warn of Tierney’s Holiday Contest

Say she could be ‘Grinch’ casing joints to rob

Annapolis (SPP) – Ward One Alderwoman Elly Tierney announced this week that she is running a holiday lights contest in her district, with plans to give an award to the house with the best display. Normally this type of contest would go without controversy and even be welcomed, but Annapolis Police cautioned today that something more sinister could be afoot.

“Over the last several years we have seen criminal gangs use Christmas lights contests as a ruse to case houses for burglaries. This started in the Hispanic community, namely with MS-13, but we have seen regular, everyday, common criminals use this tactic as well. With Alderwoman Tierney’s history, we can’t rule this out,” Annapolis Police Chief Scott Baker said.

Tierney, who was first elected this year, faced criticism from her opponent for a couple of shoplifting allegations in her past.

“Very often people return to their bad habits, especially around the holiday season,” Baker said. “I just have this fear that on Christmas morning my officers are going to awake to a deluge of calls reporting burglaries. Tierney could end up stealing Christmas. This may end up being a real life Grinch situation.”

Baker recommended that residents not put up lights and call police if they spot Tierney on their property.

Alderwoman Tierney responded to Baker’s warnings by calling them “absurd.” “I’m just trying to spread holiday cheer,” Tierney said. Although she noted that while making her rounds she intended to bring along the tax assessor to note any improvements that could increase assessments and bring in more revenue for the city. “Obviously, the better the lights, the more the value of the property will increase. I’m done with my life of crime. Since I’m in government, I steal legitimately now, through taxation.”