By Paul Thompson
Northeast News

The Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office filed a 2nd Degree Arson charge on May 23 against a man accused of starting a damaging fire at the 3600 block of Smart Ave. in the Historic Northeast.

Blake Pierce, 26, was arrested on Tuesday, May 22. The fire, which occurred near the intersection of Smart and Askew, occurred on April 17. KCPD East Patrol Captain Ryan Mills indicated that the Scarritt Renaissance Neighborhood Association “came through big again” with their help identifying the suspect.

“From the Police Department’s standpoint, we had very little information at all,” Mills said. “Through working with the Scarritt Renaissance neighborhood, we were able to obtain a picture of him, and then they knew a moniker for him. They also thought they knew what areas that he stayed in. With that information, we were able to identify who he really was.”
Heather Welch, head of the Scarritt Renaissance Neighborhood Association Block Watch, was gratified that the neighborhood’s efforts in this instance led to a positive result for the community.

“It’s awesome when they’re able to follow through and really get a resolution on something,” Welch said. “I think we scored big here.”

In addition to the charges against Pierce, Welch said that the efforts of the Block Watch are drawing increased interest within the neighborhood.

“With every success we have, I think we get more. People email me all the time now,” Welch said with a laugh. “That is one of the reasons that I’m big on celebrating the wins.”

According to Welch, the Block Watch is hoping to organize another community canvass in the near future.
Pierce’s bond has been set at $15,000.