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Coatesville arsons confront 'no-snitch' ethos
Phila Inquirer via philly.com ^ | February 14, 2009 | Kathleen Brady Shea

Posted on 02/14/2009 12:42:13 PM PST by NittanyLion

For decades, an anti-snitching mentality has hampered law enforcement in Coatesville, but the code of silence may not be fireproof.

The string of arsons plaguing the once-thriving steel town in Chester County - 44 fires set in the last 13 months - may be prompting some people to think twice about their reluctance to cooperate with authorities.

[snip]

Some residents, who declined to identify themselves, said not even the $20,000 in reward money from the Coatesville Arson Task Force would motivate them to cooperate with police. One older woman said that she believed her grandson had information, but proudly added that he wouldn't tell the police.

(Excerpt) Read more at philly.com ...


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; US: Pennsylvania
KEYWORDS: africanamerican; arson; blackculture; coatesville; snitch
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A little background info: Coatesville is a town in southeastern PA. There has been widespread reporting on this string of arsons, and efforts to gather donations for the city's residents. No arrests have been made to this point.
1 posted on 02/14/2009 12:42:13 PM PST by NittanyLion
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To: NittanyLion
One older woman said that she believed her grandson had information, but proudly added that he wouldn't tell the police.

In other words, he's the arsonist? (I wonder which way the majority of this city votes?)

2 posted on 02/14/2009 12:44:38 PM PST by coloradan (The US has become a banana republic, except without the bananas - or the republic.)
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To: NittanyLion

Coatesville is a pit unfortunately. Even before the arsons started. This whole situation wasn’t really even making much news until a Coatesville council members house was burned down.

I live very close to the ‘ville’, and stay away as much as possible.


3 posted on 02/14/2009 12:45:39 PM PST by abner (I have no tagline, therefore no identity.)
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To: coloradan

A large part of the Coatesville population is black. They always ote Democrat (surprise!)


4 posted on 02/14/2009 12:46:49 PM PST by Russ (Repeal the 17th amendment)
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To: NittanyLion
Obama voters, most likely. I hope they fail

I'm on anti charity now, povs, watch out.


5 posted on 02/14/2009 12:46:50 PM PST by I see my hands (_8(|)
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To: Russ

You don’t say!! I’m shocked, SHOCKED!


6 posted on 02/14/2009 12:48:51 PM PST by coloradan (The US has become a banana republic, except without the bananas - or the republic.)
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To: NittanyLion

7 posted on 02/14/2009 12:51:52 PM PST by Paleo Conservative (If the feds can't competently handle the DTV transition, why should we trust them with health care?)
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To: abner

My son goes to school down there. He lives in West Chester.


8 posted on 02/14/2009 12:52:09 PM PST by alice_in_bubbaland (WELCOME TO THE OBAMANATION!!!!! Markets and Marxists Don't Mix!)
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To: coloradan
I wonder which way the majority of this city votes?

Haha! Let's see...a victim mentality, steadfast refusal to improve the community, systematic protection of criminals...I wonder too.

9 posted on 02/14/2009 12:53:17 PM PST by NittanyLion
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To: NittanyLion
This is the town that tried to use eminent domain to take a family's farm to build a golf course. They failed. See Save Our Farm.
10 posted on 02/14/2009 1:01:25 PM PST by The people have spoken
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To: NittanyLion
That is if I am thinking clearly is almost one arson fire a week.

The mentality of the residents reminds me of those communities who think Gang members/biker gangs/Mexican Mafias ect are cool and like to hang with the likes.

Another poster questioned the voting demographics of the area my guess is many dont vote.

This story has not been reported on via the media here on the West Coast much at all.

Perhaps the mentality of this community leaves little to report on.

If that is truly the case then why should anyone who cares spend time with these arson events.

Let these people be their own victims and refuse them any tax dollar relief funds when their homes go up in flames or perhaps the homes are rentals so not much pride in a dwelling you are working hard to become owner of.

Are you local to these arson crimes?

If so what is your take on the lack of responsiveness from the community?

11 posted on 02/14/2009 1:08:14 PM PST by Global2010 (God Will see us through. Persevere)
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To: NittanyLion

> For decades, an anti-snitching mentality has hampered law enforcement in Coatesville, but the code of silence may not be fireproof.

People who promote “No Snitching” ought to be arrested and thrown in gaol. There is already a perfectly good crime on the books called “Thwarting the Cause of Justice”, which the offense could fall under. And “Snitches Get Stitches and End Up in Ditches” would easily fall under “Uttering a Threat”, which is also a crime.


12 posted on 02/14/2009 1:12:11 PM PST by DieHard the Hunter (Is mise an ceann-cinnidh. Cha ghéill mi do dhuine. Fàg am bealach.)
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To: abner

Your post pretty much sums up my perspective on those who live in the ville.

I grew up and left weeks before legal age in the East Bay Area of San Fran. Richmond/East Oakland/ Pittsburg/Antioch different skin color in each area but the same low life scum thug mentality.

Back in the 50s/60s once thriving also in steel/paper mills.

Those who are selfless move out and away.

And my guess is many dont vote or get involved in the political process other than to advance their own agenda and prosperity.


13 posted on 02/14/2009 1:15:52 PM PST by Global2010 (God Will see us through. Persevere)
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To: Paleo Conservative

Why don’t the police arrest these three goons? Their intent is clear: to obstruct justice by dissuading witnesses under threat of violence.

There would surely be several laws that they are breaking by doing that.


14 posted on 02/14/2009 1:16:14 PM PST by DieHard the Hunter (Is mise an ceann-cinnidh. Cha ghéill mi do dhuine. Fàg am bealach.)
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To: The people have spoken
This is the town that tried to use eminent domain to take a family's farm to build a golf course.

Coatesville must be a multicultural wonderland, what with street cred gone metastatic AND the sport of the "man" being considered important.

"Excuse me Pewterschmidt, but I must inform you that if you intend to... ah, snitch about the number of strokes I took on the last hole, I shall be forced to discharge a firearm wherein the bullet shall pass into - and possibly through - your gluteus maximii."

Mr. niteowl77

15 posted on 02/14/2009 1:21:49 PM PST by niteowl77 (You wanted him, and now you have got him. I say, "Good day to you," America.)
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To: DieHard the Hunter
People who promote “No Snitching” ought to be arrested and thrown in gaol. There is already a perfectly good crime on the books called “Thwarting the Cause of Justice”, which the offense could fall under. And “Snitches Get Stitches and End Up in Ditches” would easily fall under “Uttering a Threat”, which is also a crime.

A "No Snitching" shirt is protected by the First Amendment. "Snitches Get Stitches and End Up in Ditches" probably would be too, althogh it might depend on the circumstances.

16 posted on 02/14/2009 1:22:03 PM PST by Arguendo
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To: The people have spoken

Hah A working thriving (family?) Farm and the locals want to exert their corrupt powers so they can have a place to play golf.

Who in the heck is going to in long term keep the grounds up the ex farmers?


17 posted on 02/14/2009 1:22:23 PM PST by Global2010 (God Will see us through. Persevere)
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To: Arguendo

> A “No Snitching” shirt is protected by the First Amendment. “Snitches Get Stitches and End Up in Ditches” probably would be too, althogh it might depend on the circumstances.

So if they wore a shirt that said “Talk to Cops and Sleep with the Fishes”, your First Amendment would protect that naked threat? The First Amendment is not absolute, and uttering threats is not protected speech.


18 posted on 02/14/2009 1:27:46 PM PST by DieHard the Hunter (Is mise an ceann-cinnidh. Cha ghéill mi do dhuine. Fàg am bealach.)
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To: DieHard the Hunter

Maybe, maybe not. As I said I’m not sure about the second one. But “No Snitching” is without question protected.

And what is this about “your First Amendment”? Are you not a fan of it?


19 posted on 02/14/2009 1:30:57 PM PST by Arguendo
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To: abner

Coatesville has never been a very nice place. the only thing that I remember about it was that my high school used to meet them in the state baskeball championships.

Sounds like forced gentrification or vigilantism.

This is from news feed web site:

Coatesville is within easy access of Route 222 ‘ a 140km motorway that connects New York; Newark, New Jersey; Philadelphia and Baltimore, Maryland and known for years to be a pipeline for gangs involved in the drugs trade. Regardless of the arsonists’ identity and motive, residents say they are terrified. Robin Scott, a local councilwoman, saw her home destroyed on Saturday night when a fire damaged 15 homes in total. She and her family got out safely after police alerted them. ‘To see it all happen the way that it did was devastating and I wouldn’t wish that on anyone,’ she said. [21] COATESVILLE, Pennsylvania (CNN) —


20 posted on 02/14/2009 1:36:41 PM PST by Eva (CHANGE- the post modern euphemism for Marxist revolution.)
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