‘This neighborhood is no victim. Its residents are engaged, determined and not about to retreat from a criminal act.”
That’s what we said about Ward 3 residents in Northampton in late 2009. They had just turned out for a public meeting at the College Church on Pomeroy Terrace – 500 strong – to discuss the wave of arson that struck the Sunday after Christmas, killing a father and son. Tips were coming in, but authorities told the gathering they had no suspects. That did nothing to allay fears.
This Monday, in a grim replay, residents of the same neighborhoods east of downtown joined for yet another meeting about unexplained fires. The fact that they were back discussing the same kind of threat weighed heavily.
Fewer people attended, and that’s understandable. The six latest incidents of arson can’t compare to the 19 structure and vehicle fires reported within hours that one night in 2009 – all later linked to a 25-year-old neighborhood resident, Anthony Baye.
No one yet knows what led a person or people to ignite the small fires in the past month. Fortunately, no one has been hurt. But the risk to public safety has been significant – and people’s fears are justified. Grasses lit on fire at the edge of Sondra Peron’s Bates Street driveway March 12 burned out before spreading to her car or her family’s house. But the danger of a larger fire was real.
This Monday, residents were assured that public safety officials are on the case. Three firefighters, two police officers and an assistant district attorney are all probing the latest fires.
Officials urged residents to be watchful and report anything that looks suspicious by calling 587-1100 or texting a tip to 274637 with the word “Protect” and a message.
Public safety personnel, who did such a remarkable job catching an arsonist six years ago, and responding to public worries throughout a horrible week, know their history. Residents interviewed by Gazette reporter Amanda Drane last weekend had good things to say about steps taken, and concern expressed, by Northampton police officers and firefighters.
It is hard to know what motivates this year’s Northampton arsonist. Usually, fires are deliberately set as vandalism, to conceal another crime or out of a desire for revenge, excitement or attention.
The owner of a tent that burned March 15 along the downtown railroad tracks believes that fire was set by someone who came searching for money to buy drugs. If that’s true it might lessen the perceived risk to the general public. But that doesn’t explain five other fires.
We can only hope the fires set between March 12 and 21 exhaust whatever sick motive has been at work. These neighborhoods have suffered enough.
Six years ago, residents of Ward 3 endured a week of uncertainty between the worst of the fires and Baye’s arrest Jan. 4, 2010. With his apprehension, they could breathe again. Today, fear remains at large.
On Dec. 31, 2009, as many residents slept uneasily with lights on, dreading the prospect of new fires, former Mayor Clare Higgins sent the city a message. She wrote in her email newsletter that in the days after the fires she witnessed “the very best” of the community. “Yes, we are nervous, we are on alert, we are angry and we are grieving,” Higgins said. “But Northampton is an amazing community. We are resilient, we are strong, we are connected and committed to our neighbors, our neighborhoods, and to this city we all love.”
In the many courtesies they’ve provided one another these past weeks, residents of Ward 3 show that once again.