LAST NIGHT'S MEETING

I'm not quite sure how I would characterize last night's meeting with city council to discuss the Coatesville arsons.  On the one hand it was good to see so many concerned citizens (by my count, close to 600) get together to air their frustrations and get some answers.  On the other hand I'm not sure everybody got out of the meeting what they were hoping for.

It was a scene to behold, for sure.  There were probably seven different television networks there and the auditorium that seats roughly 500 was overflowed.  It was quite an impressive display of unity considering there are only 11,000 residents in this city.  Keep in mind, that census number includes children, so 600 adults is a fairly large percentage of the city's population.

The meeting started off with council taking turns speaking about the different things being done for the victims, from temporary housing to clothing and food donations to monetary donations.  They also spoke about how to contribute in these areas as well as how to give towards the reward fund.  They had the district attorney and chief of police speak vaguely about what measures are currently being taken and what the residents can do to help.  However, the topic of a neighborhood town watch is what bothered me.  Hundreds have signed up for town watch, yet no plan is in place.  The chief stated that he had to figure out a way to know who that was walking around the city were on patrol and who were possible arsonists.  Their fear is that these groups would be walking down a back alley and a resident may mistake them as the arsonists and start shooting at them.  I understand that, but there has to be a way to better organize such a group than to just say "go walk aimlessly through the back alleys of Coatesville."

There were some very valid points brought out by the community.  The two I like most were one about the use of the city's website.  The website apparently hasn't been updated in THREE YEARS!!!  Hell, I didn't even know we had one.  But it can definitely be used as a very valuable information outlet.  Right now there are too many times where there are misinterpitations between the media and the city council.  Also, one man brought up the idea of a city siren any time a fire has been called in.  This way, the minute the siren goes off it would alert the whole city that there is a fire and give residents a chance to look out their windows to see if they see any suspicious persons running down and alley.  I know this is doable because when they used to have a curfew for the children there would be a siren that went off to let them know that curfew was up.

Anyway, I just read in the local paper that the Philadelphia chapter of the guardian angels are arriving today to walk the streets at night.  They are basically going to be doing what the town watch was supposed to be organized to do.  I'm okay with this because the guardian angels are known to make citizens arrests and it also keeps a presence on the streets.  The city also instituted a mandatory law that residents have to clear off their front and back porches of any trash, apholstered furniture and any other items that may be able to be set on fire.  If they don't remove these items by today, then officials will have them removed and thrown away and send the home owners a bill for the removal and fines.  It's getting drastic around here, but that's what this has come to.  Be glad you live where you do my friends, Coatesville is not exactly the ideal place to call home right now.

Wow!!! Andy, I'd be disappointed, too.  While caring and providing the necessities for the victims is a good thing, they need to focus on preventing future fires.

Maybe the Guardian Angels could provide some input as to how to organize a Neighborhood Watch?  It'll be interesting to see how this plays out.

Is PA  a "shall issue" state with handguns?  In a way, I hope not.  I'm sure tempers are flaring and fuses are short, and to add citizens playing vigilante with firearms would just be adding to the problems.

Continuing to keep you and your friends and family in my prayers!  Thanks for the update!

Tia

Hey Tia,

I'm not sure what you mean by a "shall issue" state, but I will say this much.  Law or no law, if these idiots decide to torch the wrong house, they will meet their maker.  Trust me, Coatesville is not the type of town that you want to **** off the wrong person.  It's a town with drug problems and a handful of murder cases every year.  More than a few residents believe in their "right to bare arms", if you know what I mean.

These morons better hope that when they're caught, and they will be caught, that it is the local authorities and not a city resident tha catches them.  Just talking to people at these meetings and watching them interviewed on TV gives me the feeling that they plan on taking the law into their own hands.  I liken these people to bank robbers.  If a bank robber were to rob a bank, maybe two and then stop and be happy with the money they got away with, there is a good chance they won't get caught.  However, greed often comes into play and it's often when they attempt their third or fourth robbery when they are caught.  Unfortunately, if these arsonists were to stop now they probably won't get caught for the destruction they've already caused.  But that won't happen.  These thrill seekers think they won't ever get caught and will continue on until they are.  They'll make that one vital mistake.  It's just a matter of time.  I just hope it happens before someone else dies.

Sorry, Andy.  A "shall issue" state is a State that allows ANYONE to carry a weapon.  Maryland is NOT a shall issue state, but it IS within the parameters of the law to keep a weapon inside your home (properly secured, of course), to protect your home and loved ones.  There's been a lot of debate over whether Maryland should be a shall issue state. 

I do believe in the right to protect one's home, business, family, etc., and you're right - eventually, these arsonists are going to target the wrong people and perhaps pay with their lives. 

I assume PA has a State Fire Marshal and arson investigators?  It would seem unreal if they didn't, considering how big the state is.

Hang in there, (and please, don't YOU do anything stupid!!  I have connections, but no money to bail you out!!!!!)

Tia

Andy, I am just in total shock over this whole thing. That this kind of thing can happen to this extent and that those who are supposed to maintain the public welfare seem inadequate to do so. I cannot imagine what it must be like trying to live your daily lives and especially trying to sleep at night. I pray that this will get resolved quickly!

I am sorry they are not doing everything possible to keep the community safe.

I hope and pray everything works out for everyone that has lost their homes and belongings.
How is your Mom doing?

Hey Cira,

Thanks for asking about my mom.  She's doing okay, still a little shaken though.  She's still staying with us because the neighbors that live to her right and downstairs both have a **** load of crap on their back porches and that is how these arsons have all been set, lighting the trash on fire on the porches.  The city has just issued an ordinance ordering residents to clear all front and rear porches of clothed furniture, trash and anything that may be used to start a fire.  They gave them until today to do so or they were going to go around the city and remove it for them, throw it away and charge them for removal fees as well as fining them. 

Once this is done, my mom will feel safe enough to move back home.  We don't really want her to, but she is a very independent person and stubborn as a mule.  There's no talking to someone that age that is set in her ways.