Never mind the bar fight right across the street from the police station in late July that came close to being a riot. Or that someone may have been embezzling hundreds of thousands of dollars from the Elgin Employees Credit Union.
The most brazen local crime of the year happened recently when some rapscallion took the Northeast Neighborhood Association's beloved blue tulip. Or, at least they think someone took it.
The lawn ornament has been used for years used to mark the spot where the neighbors gather to have soirees. It's very Gatsby of them. At the same time, since they don't exactly keep this a secret, it seems like something "Crimestoppers" would frown upon as it pretty much tips off burglars where everyone on the block might be and perhaps even guide a clever thief to free snacks and beer if not jewelry and trinkets.
Either way, the Internet is all atwitter in Elgin about this dastardly deed.
I've offered to hold a fundraiser to collect the $20 to buy a new one, selling blue ribbons or armbands in unity with the NENAs. But, nay, like Inspector Javert in Les Miserables, the NENA crew won't rest until it has its Jean Valjean behind bars -- or its wooden flower back.
Some theories what may have happened to The Blue Tulip, after the jump.
