Meeting responds to public's concern about area arsons
Chelsea Miller SPORTS REPORTER
Issue date: 11/10/09 Section: News
Youngstown CityScape, along with Defend Youngstown, called a meeting Monday to discuss the recent arsons in the Wick Park community area. Attending the meeting were Sharon Letson, executive director of Youngstown CityScape, Alvin Ware, Youngstown Fire Department arson specialist, and Sgt. Charles Swanson of the Youngstown Police Department. Also present was Bill D'Avignon, director of city development and planning.
The meeting was in response to public outcry concerning recent fires in the area. Residents were involved during the meeting, asking what they could do to solve the problem. One of the suggestions presented was to have a neighborhood watch, which Swanson said would bring leadership into the community.
To stop the spread of arson in the area, the city has a reward of $5,000 for those who provide any information leading to the arrest of an arsonist. Crime Stoppers of Greater Youngstown, a nonprofit organization formed by citizens to stop crime, is also assisting the cause. By calling the group's number, a person witnessing a crime can leave an anonymous tip that may eventually lead to the arrest of the perpetrator.
Ware also said the city must overcome the problem of gangs residing in vacant buildings. "Scrappers" who steal metal from these buildings and sell them to scrapyards for money are also an issue.
Some residents said they don't believe the city is doing enough to put a stop to these crimes, however.
Joe Iesue, a Youngstown State University graduate student, said the community as a whole needs to make more of an effort to assist the police.
"I believe YSU police are doing well … they're doing their job. They just can't do it alone," he said. "I've been doing these meetings for five years, but I think all we do is meet. We didn't accomplish anything I didn't already know."
Despite some residents' opinions, D'Avignon said the city is working hard.
"The city does take this seriously," he said during the meeting.
D'Avignon added that his department had started testing buildings for asbestos two weeks ago to begin the demolition project on vacant homes that cannot be salvaged. He said two of the homes that were tested will be torn down by next week, while vacant houses in the Historic District will be secured and eventually brought back to productive use.
"We want to protect assets around the park," D"Avignon said.
Letson is most concerned about the historical structures in the community. Letson said that due to public interest in the meeting, more will be held in the future.
The meeting was in response to public outcry concerning recent fires in the area. Residents were involved during the meeting, asking what they could do to solve the problem. One of the suggestions presented was to have a neighborhood watch, which Swanson said would bring leadership into the community.
To stop the spread of arson in the area, the city has a reward of $5,000 for those who provide any information leading to the arrest of an arsonist. Crime Stoppers of Greater Youngstown, a nonprofit organization formed by citizens to stop crime, is also assisting the cause. By calling the group's number, a person witnessing a crime can leave an anonymous tip that may eventually lead to the arrest of the perpetrator.
Ware also said the city must overcome the problem of gangs residing in vacant buildings. "Scrappers" who steal metal from these buildings and sell them to scrapyards for money are also an issue.
Some residents said they don't believe the city is doing enough to put a stop to these crimes, however.
Joe Iesue, a Youngstown State University graduate student, said the community as a whole needs to make more of an effort to assist the police.
"I believe YSU police are doing well … they're doing their job. They just can't do it alone," he said. "I've been doing these meetings for five years, but I think all we do is meet. We didn't accomplish anything I didn't already know."
Despite some residents' opinions, D'Avignon said the city is working hard.
"The city does take this seriously," he said during the meeting.
D'Avignon added that his department had started testing buildings for asbestos two weeks ago to begin the demolition project on vacant homes that cannot be salvaged. He said two of the homes that were tested will be torn down by next week, while vacant houses in the Historic District will be secured and eventually brought back to productive use.
"We want to protect assets around the park," D"Avignon said.
Letson is most concerned about the historical structures in the community. Letson said that due to public interest in the meeting, more will be held in the future.
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