East Side arsons prompt community meeting

Carol Colaizzi

Jun. 5, 2009 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- Some are mad. Some are scared. Some are both.

And these East Side residents are ready to take action to stop the person or people who are torching vacant houses in their neighborhood.

Wednesday night, New Castle's mayor and fire chief met with about 15 residents and friends of the community who had gathered at the I Care House on Court Street.

A pair of fires over Memorial Day weekend is what drew them to the session a few blocks from the courthouse. A desire to stop the arsons before someone is hurt or killed is what motivated them to meet again.

'If we all pull together, we can make this a better place,' noted the Rev. Dr. Ronald Wanless, pastor of Croton United Methodist Church and president of the I Care board.

'We need to organize so we are working together,' he continued. 'I propose we have a meeting as neighbors.'

So it's the same time ' 5:30 p.m. ' and the same place ' the I Care House ' for Thursday's meeting.

Some of those present didn't need much encouragement. Tammie Baker said she has three children ' 15, 10 and 5 years old ' and is willing to pitch in any way at all.

A man who noted he lives close to the most recent fire scene, said it 'scared the crap out of me' and expressed concern for his girlfriend and three children. A couple of other people noted their fire insurance has doubled.

Wanless urged those who had agreed to return for another meeting Thursday to each take a neighbor with them, to double their ranks.

'We can decide what would be most helpful; then we can approach the city with a plan.'

Wanless had asked if a neighborhood watch were to be organized, would the city help, for instance with signs.

'Anything you come up with, the city will be 200 percent behind you,' New Castle Fire Chief Tom Maciarello said.

He stressed the city is 'taking a very active approach.'

Mayor Anthony Mastrangelo concurred, noting a hotline has been set up and a $1,000 reward put in place.

'We're not sparing any expense.'

'This is of great concern to us,' Maciarello continued. 'We're taking a head-on approach, but we need the support of the community.'

Pointing out that most everyone who lives in that area is near a vacant house, the chief said that so far, that's what has been burned.

But adjacent, occupied homes have been damaged and as long as this continues, 'I fear not only for the neighbors, but for my firefighters.

'My men are going in and out, risking their lives. That makes it personal.'

Maciarello added he has been patrolling the neighborhood along with the city's police, but they need help. He said he wants to set up a neighborhood watch program

'The reason we want the neighbors involved is information.'

Explaining he thinks young people from the area are responsible, he said, 'People talk, kids talk.'

Constance Fuller volunteers at the I Care House but lives on New Castle's North Hill.

She pointed out that even though she doesn't live on the East Side, 'my neighborhood could be next.'

As some of the people talked about being aware and suggested becoming familiar with the people who live in the area and which cars belong to the residents, Baker summed up. 'I think we all need to get a little nosy. These are lives we're talking about.'

Newstex ID: 35553479