Community Corner

1985: Crime Stinks, But We Bet the Criminal Smelled Pretty Good

News from the Aug. 29, 1985, edition of the Lemon Grove Review.

A look back at Lemon Grove, 26 years ago this week.

Five Finger Discount: A state study of 28,000 national shoplifting crimes that cost businesses nearly $2.5 billion showed most pilfering occurred in Southern California. The average shoplifter was male, under 40, and stole cigarettes, meat and liquor, usually three items worth $11.97. The hiding place of choice was a pocket or under a T-shirt.

One more extravagant crook, a Lemon Grove lad, swiped $210 worth of perfume from Thrifty Drugstore and got away. The manager lost the scent, so to speak, somewhere on Broadway. As the state study observed, “Burglary takes talent, daring and planning, but shoplifting is an anti-social act by someone who was invited into the store to shop.”

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Thank goodness the sheriff's department is hiring ...

Cops Needed: Would-be cops could apply for 60 sheriff's deputy jobs countywide by obtaining applications from the Lemon Grove Review and turning them in by Sept. 4. Positions paid from $19,973 to $30,107.

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Dueling Knitters: Miretta Peterson of Lemon Grove won a silver platter at the Del Mar Fair for her knit-lace tablecloth and lace-trimmed pillow cases, and was in a dead heat with Ruth Shafer of Spring Valley (knitted coat and stole) for a trophy at the Los Angeles County Fair, held in Pomona.

Windfall: Lemon Grove's share of sales tax for August was $144,000, bested only by Poway ($150,000), Vista ($164,000) and San Marcos ($216,000).

Footlight Parade:  East County community theaters launched a busy season. Santee Community Theatre opened with the comedy “Eat Your Heart Out” (tickets $3 - $4). Lamplighters Theatre of La Mesa mounted “The Remarkable Mr. Pennypacker” and “The Spider's Web” (tickets $5). The East County Performing Arts Center presented “A Taste of Ireland,” sponsored by the Ancient Order of Hibernians (tickets $10).

The A List: More than 200 Model A vintage cars were displayed at an old-fashioned picnic hosted by Rurik and Marjorie Kallis at their historic Central Avenue home, built in 1895. A barbecue, horseshoe pitching, player piano music and an old-time movie screening were the highlights of the event.

Compiled by Helen Ofield, president of the Lemon Grove Historical Society, from newspapers archived at the H. Lee House Cultural Center.


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