Vacant home fires on the increase in Toledo – reward upped to $25,000 – Updated
Last night I watched the FOX Toledo story on the increase in arson in Toledo, 27 in the past month, (link). As reported by several media outlets, WTOL as an example, last night three more fires took place, (link). Most of the fires are taking place on the East Side and in the Old South End, with the remaining home owners concerned about their neighborhoods, WNWO talks to some residents, (link)
The City of Toledo as of today has upped the reward for information leading to the arrest of any of the arsonists, to $25,000, it was up to $10,000.
At a meeting with Block Watch leaders yesterday, the importance of neighbors watching for suspicious behavior was stressed, (Blade link).
Homes that are vacant are the main targets, with it being reported some of the homes were tagged with gang graffiti prior to the fires. Many of the targeted homes have alley access, this would make it more difficult for neighbors to see what’s happening. Most of the alley access areas have a limited line of vision.
The demolition process for vacant homes in Toledo is one that has been raised as a concern. There is a limited amount of funding as well as a lengthy process that has to be followed for a home to be put on the demolition list, unless it has been destroyed by a fire. It’s a problem that is affecting many urban communities, Pontiac has had 13 suspicious fires since June, (link).
Updated with an additional release from the City of Toledo, a chart and a map of the fires under investigation.
Toledo Fire and Police Increase Reward for Information on Fires
Reward Increased To $25,000 For Information Leading To An Arrest
Following two fires last night in the South End, Toledo fire investigators and police have increased the reward for information to $25,000 using money from the Law Enforcement Trust Fund. The reward money does not come out of the city’s general fund.
Toledo has experienced 80 suspicious fires in 2010. Many of these are suspected arsons and are the subject of ongoing investigation by the Toledo Fire and Rescue Investigative Unit. They continue to work with a task force that includes representatives from the FBI, Ohio Fire Marshal, and ATF in addition to Toledo Police. The fires present a danger to innocent citizens as well as to the firefighters who respond.
“We know there are people out there with information about who is starting these fires,” said Michael Wolever, Chief of Toledo Fire and Rescue. “These are not individual instances – there is a connection between these fires and we need help in putting an end to them before someone is seriously harmed. We’re hoping that by increasing the reward, someone will be compelled to come forward with information.”
Anyone with information regarding recent fires is urged to call Crime Stopper at 419.255.1111. Callers may remain anonymous and information leading to the arrest and conviction of individuals involved may be worth up to a $25,000 reward.
Somebody tell the new school superintedent that it is this kind of crap that drives families from the inner city neighborhoods. They are not fleeing diversity as he claims . Folk just want safety and secure neighborhoods .
July 16th, 2010 at 9:26 pmChuck, where did he make a statement like that?
July 16th, 2010 at 9:35 pmWill Toledo get a reputation like Detroit used to have, what was it called “Devil’s night”? If memory serves me corrrectly this used to occur around Halloween in Detroit.
Seems in Toledo we are having Devil’s night on a fairly regular basis.
Lisa, you comment in the post regarding lack of sight lines along alleyways is a good point. I live along an alley and make sure that my sight line is unobstructed. I also make sure that the sightlines around my home remain unobstructed. There is a term for this called “key hole to key hole”. Basically you should have an unobstructed view of your neighbor’s home from your windows and doors. Also having motion detecting lighting and working porch and street lights.
Criminals do not like lit areas. They don’t like to be seen.
Another simple solution is to get to know your neighbors.
Sitting on your porch and monitoring your street is very effective to prevent crime.
These arson fires will result in increases in our home insurance premiums. It may also lead to a refusal to insure your home based on the increased number of fires in your area.
It is disheartening to see the number of adjacent homes damaged by these fires. When most of these homes were built it was before spacing requirements existed, thus we have multiple structures affected with one fire.
Strategic neighborhood planning of existing areas could and should eliminate these unfortunate incidents. Of course it will be very long term and costly. There are many streets in Toledo with long stretches of vacant lots. Structurally viable exisiting homes could be moved to fill in some of these lots. Folks will argue that it is too expensinve to do but it has been done successfully in other Ohio communities. Central Catholic High School did it not too long ago as they sought to expand their campus.
Strategic planning of our neighborhoods can lead to higher quality of life for our city. It won’t happen unless we insist that is what we want.
Otherwise we will have gutted streets where no one lives, no tax base and a lower census.
July 17th, 2010 at 8:13 amI called the police about a vacant house on Walbridge that has the front door standing open. I called the owner listed on AREIS Online. She said the house had returned to the bank. I am getting ready to rent a property I own across the street to someone who may not pay me rent (her son lives with her) but at least the property will be occupied. Most of the arsons seem to start in vacant homes. I keep the property in case one of my brothers loses his house and his job. Cheaper than giving them rent for another place.
July 17th, 2010 at 3:04 pmVERY INFORMATIVE AND INTERESTING ARTICLE LISA RENEE! Also interesting comment by “thisjustin”..THANK YOU FOR HELP TO GET THE WORD OUT ON THIS URGENT SUBJECT!
May I link to this article or copy it for our Blockwatch website please? It is located here:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Blockwatch422A-EastToledo/
Thank you for all you do, (this site takes LOTS OF WORK!!) and take care dear!
July 30th, 2010 at 10:56 pmRobin Sopko
Blockwatch 410-M formerly 422-A
East Toledo/Raymer area