Troy Police continue to investigate a string of suspicious fires, but on Monday officials said they hoped to make an arrest in the near future.Police won't say much about the suspect(s), but say they are following some very strong leads right now.
Residents who have lived in north-central Troy for decades are fed up with the violence and say they've never seen it this bad.
“We're asking all of you, boys, girls, mothers, grandmothers, grandfathers, come out and join us,” shouted Pastor Willie Bacote as he walked the streets recruiting his community for his 6 p.m. meeting.
“First there were guns, now we've turned to fires,” he said to a group of residents at Missing Link Street Ministry.
A string of ten suspicious fires in just a month has displaced dozens of people and left the rest of the community on edge.
“That's why I am here, mostly because I want my kids to grow up in safe environment,” said Troy resident Shanique White. “Allow my kids to be outside playing and allow them to go to sleep at night without them being afraid of someone setting our house on fire.”
It's not just the fires; it's the violence that has people angry, and ready take action.
“There's not enough money drugs nothing in community that we should be killing one another, beefing one another, shooting, stabbing, none of that stuff,” said a passionate resident at Monday’s meeting.
Everyone who stood up called individuals to take responsibility for what's happening outside their doors.
“The police are there to help us, police are there to further protect, but they can’t solve our problems, we need to do the work.” Pastor Willie said.
Troy Police have beefed up patrols since the fires last week on Sixth Avenue.
But some residents, like Jenny Britten, are already taking the initiative.
“I just look around and make sure I don't see anything crazy,” Britten said as she walked her daily route.
Other residents are just thrilled to see the cops walking the beat again.
“It was very gratifying to see the lady cop with all the girls around her, she is fantastic role model for the kids around here,” said Frank Lashway, who brought his kids up in the neighborhood.
To stop the fires, end the violence, and affect change on these streets. Everyone agrees that it's time to close the gap and open the conversation between residents and police.
“If they're comfortable talking to the police then you'll hear what's going on,” Lashway said.
“If we keep doing our parts as community leaders and people we will all see a better Troy,” said Pastor Willie.
Also at the meeting, people talked about what they want done with that now vacant lot on Sixth Avenue where the fire was last week.
Many say they'd like to see a playground; a positive thing for the neighborhood, and something to do for the kids.
