YOUNGSTOWN Block watch can't meet in school until it gets insurance, board says

Last year, a man who fell off a chair at Chaney High filed a medical claim.
By PATRICIA MEADE
VINDICATOR CRIME REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- The North Glenellen Avenue Block Watch has been told by the Youngstown Board of Education that it must have liability insurance before it can meet again at West Elementary School, a member says.
"We've been meeting there about six years -- there's 16 of us," said Jackie Leson, 56, of Rhoda Avenue. "We can't go and buy liability insurance. We're not incorporated. How would we buy insurance? We're really upset. We're all homeowners who pay taxes."
Leson said the group is willing to sign a waiver absolving the school board of any liability should someone be injured.
She said the group is at a loss where to meet that would be convenient for West Side residents who live on Hartzell, Bon Air, Wesley, Rhoda, Glenellen, Schenley and Burbank avenues.
Leson said her block watch has met the first Monday of each month in the cafeteria at the old school on Hazelwood Avenue. The group was let into the school by janitors.
The meetings generally lasted one hour, 90 minutes if a speaker was invited. Most meetings were attended by city police officers who work with the block watches, Leson said.
Mike McNair, schools spokesman, said today that the schools have been pleased to welcome block watches but can no longer do so because of a liability claim that resulted from an injury.
McNair said the groups may contact the schools' insurance provider to see if they can, for a nominal fee, be covered. He didn't know what the coverage would cost.
Impetus for policy
Last year, a man attending a nonschool board-sponsored event was injured by falling off a chair that collapsed at Chaney High School, said Lt. Robin Lees, police department spokesman. As a result, a medical claim was filed for about $2,500, he said.
"Obviously, the board's insurance looked at the fact that nonschool events were taking place and they realized they're ultimately responsible for any injuries," Lees said. It's his understanding that the school board's position affects all schools.
Leson said the situation Lees described at Chaney happened at a meeting of the Youngstown 2010 committee. A man fell off a chair that had no back and hit his head on the floor and an ambulance had to be called, she said.
She said the man is a member of her block watch.
"I understand the liability issue -- it's 'sue, sue, sue' -- but we support the schools with our property taxes," Leson said.
It wasn't immediately clear how many other block watches have held their meetings at city schools. Detective Jack Palma, who oversees the block watch groups, was not available.
meade@vindy.com