Community Corner

Larchmont Children Help Solve 'Missing Ducks Caper'

The "investigation" was part of the library's Dig Into Reading Summer Reading program series.

Rubber ducks went missing from the Larchmont Public Library recently, and the village children were on the case.

Actually, the children were "assisting" Larchmont Police Detectives Matthew Irvine and James Cristiano during a mock "crime investigation" which was part of the library's Dig Into Ready Summer Reading program.

The "crime" was the apparent theft from a secure display case of a collection of rubber ducks.

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The "investigation" gave the 8- to 11-year-old children an overview of what goes on at a crime scene.

Library Director Laura Eckley said it was an effort to show how a "real" crime investigation differs from the rapid-paced case solving that is depicted on television.

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"This program was an opportunity for the Larchmont Police Department and the library to work together to educate children and create a positive impression of law enforcement that can last a long time," she said.

Once the "crime" was reported, Irvine and Cristiano showed the children how they determine who the thief is. 

Initially, crime scene tape was placed around the area of the theft, and the detectives show the children how to dust for fingerprints and collect other evidence carefully so it will not be thrown out of court due to negligence.

The outcome: one of the children's librarians was the "thief." The missing duck were recovered and placed back in the display.


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