In the past three days, someone set fire to five houses in a two-block area of East Canfield and Garland. The blazes spread and consumed nine abandoned houses and damaged four occupied homes.
The money is quick and easy – and the metal market is booming, producing record profits for shady scrapyards and a modest living for scrappers.
“Oh, God,” Janet Howard said, fearing the spreading flames would devour the entire block of Garland and Canfield, where an arsonist also set a blaze the day before. “Please. Please, God.”
Scrapping thieves have become alarmingly more daring and audacious as police have virtually ignored an organized scrapping operation that has sprung up at the abandoned Packard Plant in Detroit.
The city is preparing to seize the Packard Plant because of unpaid taxes that the owner refuses to pay. He maintains he owes no taxes because the city won’t provide basic services to protect his property from arsonists, vandals and thieves.
Bing is expected to call a 1 p.m. meeting in council chambers in what almost certainly will be a bitter, combative session. Crowds have grown more hostile, and the mayor and council’s relationship is dysfunctional.
Today, state Rep. Fred Durhal is expected to announce he’ll throw his hat in the ring, and Wayne County Sheriff Benny Napoleon likely will follow within the next two weeks.
These aren’t just any public meetings; they will drive the direction of the city’s future – and ultimately our lives.
Crews spent the morning filming Arquette and actress Lily Cole, who donned an ornate, primitive headpiece and rode a wreath-wearing donkey.
The investigation is focused on contracts with outside companies, among other financial transactions, sources told the Motor City Muckraker. The news comes at a vulnerable time for the library system.