Heflin Police Embrace Homecoming Hijinks

This year’s Homecoming Week in Cleburne County has brought a fresh dose of excitement, with the Heflin Police Station playing a central role. Officers arrived on Thursday morning to discover their building festooned with toilet paper, creating quite a spectacle.

Instead of grumbling about the pranks, the police department chose to embrace the festive spirit. They took to Facebook to humorously inform “Children at Cleburne County Schools” that toilet paper sales had skyrocketed, possibly hinting that enough sales tax revenue might soon support salary increases.

“I don’t think they realized they’d be rolling the police station,” the post quipped. As Halloween approaches, they suggested avoiding complaints about needing search warrants and expressed anticipation for the upcoming month’s shenanigans.

The local police chief, Ross McGreun, noted that this playful tradition reflects the community’s welcoming nature. “For the most part, all kids are welcome in Hifflin,” he explained, mentioning that while some property owners might grumble, the active participation of children is generally accepted.

McGreun shared that he also participated in similar antics growing up, adding, “I think my generation was a bit more into it. Nowadays, kids are glued to their devices.”

The playful “Rolling Wars” typically occur between seniors and juniors, with each group trying to outdo the other. While technically, it could be viewed as trespassing or vandalism, the community largely welcomes the tradition.

The police department’s lighthearted post received nearly 1,500 comments, with Chief McGreun noting a distinct absence of negativity among the responses. This homecoming ritual, he believes, goes beyond mere mischief; it fosters community connections.

“It’s all in good fun. Most of the participants are friends, enjoying a bit of playful rivalry,” he mentioned, pointing out that the Heflin police managed to turn what could have been a source of annoyance into a moment of local joy.