North Side group to address arson problem

YOUNGSTOWN -- The North Side Citizens Coalition will host a meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday that will cover the recent rash of arsons on the North Side.
The meeting will be in the Gathering Room at Park Vista, 1216 Fifth Ave. Parking is free.
Kevin Johnson, chief arson investigator for the Youngstown Fire Department, will discuss the fires and explain what residents can do to aid in the arrest of arsonists.
Since July 2005, the North Side has lost nearly 50 houses to arson. The blazes also have damaged occupied houses adjacent or near the set fires.
On Feb. 5, the Youngstown Fire Department was called out to battle three North Side fires simultaneously. Later that month, the arsonists struck again, burning vacant homes on Tod Lane and Bissell Avenue.
The fire department is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the those responsible. Call (330) 782-0055 with any information. The meeting is free and open to the public. For more information, call (330) 501-7622.