|
|
Public meeting on arson situation
Banner Daily Update Fri. Mar. 21
By Pru Sowers
Banner Staff
PROVINCETOWN — A task force was formed Monday to step up efforts to catch the person or persons responsible for setting a string of fires that have terrorized the town since October.
The resurgence of the arsonist two weeks ago after a three-month quiet period, setting a fire that destroyed the studio of artist Arthur Cohen on Bradford Street, led to a meeting Monday of all fire and police personnel involved in the investigation. As a result of that meeting, the task force is going to enlist residents to help police and fire officials solve the 15 intentionally set fires that began on Oct. 23.
Town Manager Sharon Lynn said a public forum would be held next Wednesday, March 26, at 5 p.m. in Town Hall to teach residents what to look for and how to report any suspicious people or incidents. State Fire Marshal Stephen Coan will conduct the meeting, which also will be attended by fire and police investigators.
“These arsons have started up again. This meeting will not be to discuss any specific investigation but what should people be looking for and how to be helpful. They need to be alert to changes,” Lynn said.
Provincetown Fire Chief Mike Trovato said the public forum idea came out of a meeting Monday, where all branches of the investigative units involved in trying to solve the 15 intentionally set fires met to go over all the evidence to date. Members of the Provincetown police and fire departments, the Barnstable County Sheriff’s Dept., the state police and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives discussed each of the 15 fires to ensure everyone had all the information available.
“Nothing new came out of it. But it doesn’t hurt to rehash and keep everyone sharing information,” Trovato said. “We think this is going to be solved by someone seeing something.”
The difficulty in catching a suspect is that crucial evidence, such as how the fire was started or any fingerprints, is usually destroyed in a blaze. As a result, unless someone sees a person on the scene, it can be next to impossible to make an arrest.
Acting Police Chief Warren Tobias said witnesses saw a man at the scene of the Cohen studio fire and those reports are still under investigation. In the meantime, he asked area residents to “stay vigilant.”
“More often than not these things are solved by tips or information coming from the community,” he said.
Fire Marshal Coan said he and key members of the task force would attend next Wednesday’s public forum to provide information on the status of the investigation and to discuss forming community crime watch groups that can be used against arson.
“The community is the eyes and ears of law enforcement. If anyone hears or sees anything, please call the local police department right away,” he said.
The Arson Watch Reward Program supports the statewide Arson Hotline (800-682-9229) and provides rewards of up to $5,000 for information that leads to an arrest.
|
Park plans to narrow Route 6
Bookstore upgrade time running out
Pets and kites banned from beaches
Parking permit fees remain as is
Police bust up house party
Parmakian resigns Wednesday
|
|
|
|
|
Mar 20th, 2008