Windsorites voice arson concerns at public meeting

Arson is at the centre of a public discussion in Walkerville Wednesday night, where city, police and fire officials will address questions and try to teach residents how to make their streets and alleys less susceptible to intentionally set fires.

Mary Jane Renaud, who is the block captain with neighbourhood Watch Windsor was at the meeting, held at the Willisted Manor,

She's been living in the downtown core for nearly 40 years and said times have changed.

Renaud said she used to be able to leave her doors unlocked now it's "like living in a jail."

"There are so many fires there's drugs, there's all kinds of things, it's not safe," she said. "You go outside in your back yard, you have to lock you front door."

She said last fall there were 14 fires in two weeks in her neighbourhood.

"It's crazy," said Renaud. "People leave their furniture out in the alleys, they leave garbage all over the place, boxes all over the palce — it's easy access right," she said.

Report suspicious behaviour

Christian Pinard with Neighbour Watch Windsor was also at the event.

"These neighbourhoods just want to know that their concerns are being addressed," said Pinard. "If there's anything they can take from this meeting we hope that it's community, education and reporting."

The main thing being stressed at the meeting is for residents to report if they notice something suspicious in their area, said Pinard.

"If you see any suspicious individuals or automobiles in your neighbourhood that you know shouldn't be there, maybe that phone call may the one that deters the next fire," he said.