POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. -- Former Ward 5 Councilwoman Yvonne Flowers lives near 97 Smith Street in Poughkeepsie. The house was one of two vacant buildings where fires broke out on Saturday. The other was at 44 Harrison Street.
“We put a lot of money invested in our homes, in our neighborhood, so when these houses catch on fire, it causes problems for us too,” said Flowers.
Fire officials said the city had about 50 building fires last year. On February 13, the fire and police department chiefs, mayor and city administrator will attend a special council meeting to talk about how to prevent more.
Common Council member Chris Petsas, who pushed for the meeting, said the city needs more resources and for people to speak up.
“This is going to require state and federal support to get this resolved, and not only that, it’s going to require community support,” he said.
Petsas said the issue of fires at vacant buildings specifically needs to be addressed. He said since last year, there have been about 12 fires at buildings within about five blocks of 97 Smith Street. Most, if not all, are vacant.
“These are fires that are happening concentrated in a very poor minority population in our city that holds a lot of abandoned homes, and I just don’t think they’ve had a voice on this, and I’m determined to be it,” said Petsas.
Flowers is hoping things will change as more attention is brought to the issue.
“We have to work together to try and keep our neighborhood safe, and these fires that are happening within this ward, it’s an issue, it’s a problem,” said Flowers.
“Poughkeepsie is burning one house at a time, and I’m afraid we’re not putting the resources on this very serious matter,” said Petsas.