Homeless In Fear After Series Of Fires In Las Cruces
Matt, a member of Community of Hope, said the shelter is the one place he, like many other homeless people, feels safe. But outside, he feels vulnerable, left wondering when and where the person responsible for a series of recent fires is going to strike next.
“It’s aggravating, I haven’t slept for three days,” Matt said.He didn’t want his last name used. “We all got that really deep gut, you know, ‘Wow that’s scary.’ People are really, ‘Ooh, watch out for that guy.'”
The problem is “that guy” could also be anyone in the homeless community.
Matt said no one even knows his real name. He is only seen prowling the streets, just like on Tuesday morning, when police say a series of fires broke out along West Picacho Avenue.
A hotel fire ignited around 2 a.m. Hours later, a second blaze erupted at a nearby apartment complex. And four Dumpster fires were set in between.
“I just don’t want to go to sleep at night thinking that I might get burned out,” said Richey, another Community of Hope member.
Police are calling the string of fires suspicious.
Richey said that is exactly how the homeless community feels too.
“All of a sudden, (the person setting fires is) out of jail and one night later, boom, four fires go up on Picacho and he’s roaming those streets,” Richey said.
With fewer and fewer shelter options available for the homeless, Executive Director Pamela Angell of the Community of Hope says some are allowed to stay overnight. The shelter has also increased security and police patrols.
“Victimization no matter who you are or how much money you earn, you know, it’s a crime and it creates anxiety for people; and people should look at it as no less if it’s against the homeless,” Angell said.
Police say a person of interest was questioned but later released.
No arrests have been made.
“My biggest fear is that he’s gonna hurt somebody that I know. Or one of these people is going to try to take matters into their own hands if they see him at night somewhere, and get put in jail for the wrong reason — for standing up for themselves,” Matt said.
