“It’s been four days. Four days. At what point do we start asking questions?”
A Greenbrook Township man has entered his fourth consecutive day of monitoring a neighbor whose Christmas decorations are still up, sources confirm. Gerald Mumford, 58, says he first noticed the situation on January 1st and has been documenting it ever since.
“The lights. The wreath. The inflatable snowman,” Mumford told reporters from his living room window, where he has established what he calls an “observation post.” He gestured toward the Henderson residence across the street. “January 4th. Let that sink in.”
Christmas Decorations Still Up: A Timeline
According to Mumford’s handwritten log, the Henderson family’s decorations have remained unchanged since December 26th. His notes include timestamps, weather conditions, and observations such as “no activity at front door” and “garage opened briefly at 2:47 PM, no removal of holiday items observed.”
When asked if perhaps the Hendersons were simply busy or hadn’t gotten around to it yet, Mumford shook his head slowly.
“That’s exactly what someone who hasn’t gotten around to it would want you to think,” he said. “I’m not saying there’s something wrong. I’m saying I don’t know that there isn’t.”
Authorities Decline To Investigate
Mumford contacted local police on January 2nd to report “possible abandonment or incapacitation” based on the decoration status. The responding officer reportedly suggested that many families keep decorations up through Epiphany on January 6th, or even until mid-January.
“He said it was ‘normal,'” Mumford recalled, making air quotes. “Normal. Four days after New Year’s. With an inflatable snowman.”
The officer’s incident report, obtained through a public records request Mumford filed three hours after the visit, lists the complaint as “unfounded.”
Growing Concerns
Mumford has since expanded his surveillance to include the Hendersons’ recycling habits (“no Christmas packaging observed”), their vehicle movements (“sporadic”), and their general demeanor (“suspiciously calm”).
His wife, Darlene, declined to comment but was seen in the background of the interview making a gesture that sources described as “exhausted.”
“Someone has to pay attention,” Mumford said, adjusting his binoculars. “Everyone else just walks by like nothing is happening. Like having Christmas decorations still up on January 4th is somehow acceptable.”
The Hendersons could not be reached for comment. Their wreath remains on the door.
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