Maplewood – A meticulously crafted, and reportedly quite expensive, security system in the Maplewood neighborhood triggered a false alarm early this morning, sending local authorities and residents scrambling. The system, installed by retired accountant Harold Perkins, a self-described “security enthusiast,” was designed to detect any unusual activity on his property, a modest two-story home on Elm Street. However, the source of the alarm appears to have been a single, unusually bold squirrel.

According to police reports, the alarm was activated at approximately 6:17 AM, with a rapid succession of alerts flooding the Maplewood Police Department’s dispatch center. Initial reports indicated a possible break-in, prompting a swift response from patrol officers. Upon arrival, officers discovered that the trigger had been activated by a grey squirrel that had apparently become entangled in the motion sensors designed to detect human movement.

“It was absolutely baffling,” stated Officer Miller, the first officer on the scene. “We’ve dealt with false alarms before, of course, but this… this was a squirrel. A determined squirrel, I’ll give it that.”

Harold Perkins, visibly distressed by the incident, stated, “I’ve spent months perfecting this system! I used infrared sensors, pressure plates, the whole shebang! I even installed a camera with night vision. It’s just… heartbreaking that it was a rodent.” He added, with a sigh, “I just want to feel safe in my own home. It’s not about grand theft – it’s about knowing you’re protected.”

Neighbors expressed a mix of amusement and concern. Mrs. Henderson, who lives across the street, commented, “Well, it was certainly a surprise this morning. Harold’s a lovely man, but he’s a bit… overzealous about security. I’m just glad no one got spooked.”

The incident has prompted a review of the neighborhood’s overall security protocols, with some suggesting a reassessment of the sensitivity of the sensors. Local animal control officers were contacted and advised to exercise caution around Mr. Perkins’ property, and to potentially offer a small, strategically placed nut as a gesture of goodwill. The investigation is ongoing, though the most likely outcome appears to be a significant expenditure on squirrel-proofing measures.