Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Shawn on October 23, 2009 at 8:47am

Thanks Georgia, I was wondering if this was the same location.

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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...

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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).

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Permalink Reply by Shawn on October 23, 2009 at 3:59pm

Here is a really good summary of what happened, from the D&C.

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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.

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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!?

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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.

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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

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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.

Mark

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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.

Permalink Reply by Georgia NeSmith on October 24, 2009 at 11:08pm

How many vigils must we hold?

Vigils are good for the soul, for building solidarity, for showing people in the neighborhood that we care.

But vigils aren't going to make a bit of difference unless they bring people to action.

Shawn's open letter to the mayor is a start.

HOw about a large contingent of 19th Warders at City Hall on the Road Tuesday evening?

http://cityofrochester.gov/article.aspx?id=8589936879

5:30-7:30
Lake Riley Lodge
Cobbs Hill.

I will be there with bells on if others will commit to showing up.

Attachments:

• CHOR Oct 27 Web flyer.pdf, 405 KB

Permalink Reply by Shawn on October 25, 2009 at 6:07pm

Chad Roberts has more information about the victims of this fire on the While Rochester Slept Blog at the D&C
http://blogs.democratandchronicle.com/rocslept/

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