202 Trafalgar

In today's news, yet another fire at 202 Trafalgar. This was the location of 1st a shooting (no one hurt, I believe) and an arson fire in Dec. 08.

http://www.democratandchronicle.com/article/20091023/NEWS01/9102300...

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Permalink Reply by Shawn on October 23, 2009 at 8:47am: Thanks Georgia, I was wondering if this was the same location.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Shawn on October 23, 2009 at 9:13am: It is now being reported that two houses were destroyed. The one involved in the arson, and a neighboring house, which will have to be torn down, How sad. It makes me sick to think that this would happen.

http://www.13wham.com/news/local/story/Two-Houses-Destroyed-One-Dam...; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Georgia NeSmith on October 23, 2009 at 11:13am: As I recall from a PCIC discussion, the family living there in 08 had a member (no longer with them) who was involved in criminal activity, and police had reason to believe the shooting and the original arson was connected to a "tiff" going on between that member and some others involved in similar activity (yes, I am being cryptic on purpose because I'm not sure if I am recollecting correctly).; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Shawn on October 23, 2009 at 3:59pm: Here is a really good summary of what happened, from the D&C.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Elizabeth Smith on October 23, 2009 at 4:43pm: How fortunate that there were not major injuries with this horrendous fire. Likely the rain and wet weather was a blessing. How sad that a woman of 96 should lose her home of fifty years. I wonder if the corporate community ( I'm thinking insurance agencies) would consider banding together and posting a reward for information leading to an arson conviction. It would be a great PR vehicle for the industry and perhaps save some lives as well. If the arson keeps up sooner or later we will lose a community resident or a firefighter.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Margy Meath on October 23, 2009 at 5:10pm: I woke up this morning feeling sick because i had been inhaling/smelling smoke from this fire. I felt much worse after hearing this story...... The shooting in December, followed by the fire at the same house was downright scary to hear about. I recall talking with Lyn Bodden about the impact it had on her, her family and their Christmas holiday. Some of the neighbors on Trafalgar gathered after the fire incident (i think) and held a prayer service- GOD knows that we certainly need it!
I drove by Trafalgar a short while ago- one house is literally gone! The 2 on either side are very heavily damaged and it's not clear whether they'll be saved.......
Why do we have so many fires in our neighborhood?? What is going on to lead to such senseless violence and loss?? How and when will it stop!? What is the status of investigations into the shooting and previous fire at this residence!?; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Sheri Tehan on October 23, 2009 at 5:23pm: The lastest news on this is that two people involved somehow in the December incidents were convicted on gun charges yesterday. The timing is interesting. We shall see of there is a connection to this arson. An innocent 96 year old woman and her 63 year old son are homeless now. It is gut wrenching. I smelled the smoke when I got up this morning. After confirming that our own house wasn't on fire, I thought someone had just been using their fireplace last night. Those folks who moved into Lynn and Peter's house have only been there since June. It's horrible!

Some of the fires have been a result of human error (ie smoking in bed). The arsons are a different story. I'm angry.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Elizabeth Smith on October 23, 2009 at 5:58pm: Another timing example...As an interested 19th Warder i regularly check the Real Estate section of RocDocs. This property is listed as sold 9/29/09 for $8000.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Dan DeMarle on October 23, 2009 at 6:49pm: John DeMott and I were out on PACTAC this morning and were at the fire. I was going to post about it, but take a different slant. Our Trafalger street neighbors have been through a lot in the last year. They have formed a block group and have been getting together regularly and have formed a nice community. This morning what I saw was good neighbors in shock in the cold watching hard work literally go up in smoke. the house with the fire was being worked on preparing for new neighbors to move in. So if you know anyone on Trafalger Street or Aldine this would be a great time for a friendly phone call, or to bring over a plate of cookies. This is when neighbors need neighbors to reach out and show our support. After the last fire we arranged a candle light vigil outside of the house, I know Georgia stopped by, for that. That was in part because of the act of violence. At this point its not clear what happened, other than many of our neighbors are in shock. The house is gone (torn down) and there is now a vacant spot on the street; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Sheri Tehan on October 23, 2009 at 7:10pm: Agreed! Our thoughts are certainly with them and I think we are all in shock too.... and sad, and angry, and frightened....; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Mark Sweetland on October 24, 2009 at 2:16am: Dan, and John, and Sheri, I think we need to have an outpouring neighborhood response to this violence. I don't know what form it should take, maybe a vigil against crime outside with candles .... I don't know, but suggestions are welcome. Enough is enough. We obviously need people looking out for each other. If nothing else, please be vigilant about who is on your street.

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Permalink Reply by Dan DeMarle on October 24, 2009 at 9:04am: Well the first thing we need is a someone on the street to help make connections. In regards to a candle light vigil, I know we have a number of religious leaders in the neighborhood, and its nice to have two or three come so we can have an interdenominational/mutlireligion event, to try to respect the many different faith communities on the street. We then need a time late afternoon/early evening and a day today or tomorrow.
To go and meet neighbors we need a group of people who can show up with cookies in hand, who can call or stop in to say we're here for you.