See something, say something — that is the message on the minds of many in the new millennium. And, when something can be seen, when it has been reported (repeatedly), then what?

For several years, two neighborhoods on opposite sides of town have watched in concerned shock as one individual’s actions over time have left her two properties in disarray.

Nancy Fire, 71, with properties at 29 Abbott Road and 44 Thompson Ave. was contacted for comment but she declined.

Police incident reports date back to 2015, and they carry through to this year. Fire herself has called the police 16 times. The majority of the complaints have been reports of suspicious persons, autos or circumstances. All of the reports by police show a status of “closed” or “cleared” with no further action.

Disorderly Conduct

More recently, neighbors on Abbott Road have had to rely on help from the police due to late night/early morning calls of disorderly conduct-noise complaints.

According to the complaint that landed Fire in Magisterial District Judge Cercone’s courtroom, “the defendant with intent to cause public inconvenience, annoyance, or alarm, or recklessly created risk thereof made unreasonable noise multiple times intentionally after 0300 (3 a.m.) Jan. 1, 2022 through April 28, 2022.

“Def. intentionally makes unreasonable noise after 0300 on numerous occurrences such as vacuuming, leaf blower, banging doors, banging garbage cans. All intentional acts to harass and annoy.

“Def. with intent to harass, annoy or alarm another did engage in a course of conduct or repeatedly commits acts which serve no legitimate purpose.”

Fire was found guilty of disorderly conduct-unreasonable noise and ordered to pay $219.55 for the citation. This offense occurred in January.

Yard signs

According to those in the area, the noise continues and the residents are getting frustrated.

Beginning in February, the city’s Department of Property Maintenance was called to the Abbott Road residence over signs that the caller stated were “derogatory” in nature and contained explicit language.

The signs, according to reports, “either met the qualifications to not be in violation of the city’s sign ordinance or was located inside the structure.” From then, the signs multiplied in number and the messages presented.

This is no longer about the many signs that are displayed in the yard. The residents of Abbott Road know there is nothing to be done about the signs; nor is there anything that can be done about the “vulgarity” on the signs.

“They are awful. They have foul language and shouldn’t be where the children can see them. But free speech, I get it,” said one resident, who asked not to be named.

Past reflections

Several neighbors, who also asked not to be identified, pointed out that they have lived in the neighborhood for a long time, some for decades, and this was not the behavior Fire had shown years ago. She used to take pride in the neighborhood, some said.

A review of files, all the way back to 2002, showed Fire as a local resident and member of the relighting committee battled alongside other committee members, to have the historical lights on Abbott Road, Burke Avenue and Calvin Court replaced — even working to raise the needed funding the city could not cover.

The ABC Residents’ light restoration project brought together all the families from these three streets and in 2003 the new group began their annual picnics together. It was reported then that each group had separate picnics previously, but due to this project, they had all become so close, they decided to combine all three streets from then forward.

This was Nancy Fire 20 years ago.

More recently, Fire worked on the Honor Flights project. She was one of the organizers, in 2016, to spearhead the effort.

Fire is a retired Bradford Area School District teacher, original organizer for Flights of Honor, long-time member of the AAUW, and was a congressional intern for Congressman WiIliam Clinger Jr.

She holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Clarion State University and a Master of Education in Academy Curriculum and Instruction from Pennsylvania State University.

Her mother, Christine (Ross) Fire, who lived at 44 Thompson Ave., and she were reportedly very close. The mother died in 2017.

Many have commented that they have fond memories stopping by, having coffee or just chatting with the two women. But that was then.

Property

maintenance

Today, in listening to her neighbors speak, they do not see any resolution to what has transpired in their neighborhoods in the near future.

“Nobody seems to want to do anything about it; we are almost used to it now,” said a neighbor. “It’s sad; we have almost given up.”

Another neighbor said, “No, nothing has changed, if anything it has gotten worse. Now the grass is nearly 4 feet tall and probably hiding all the trash.”

Fire has racked up several citations for high grass and weeds at both properties and for failing to dispose of garbage and sanitation at the Abbott Road property. At this point, both properties should be at or nearing fines of $300 per violation due to not addressing the issues, as per the city code.

In May, according to violation detail reports, Fire was issued a violation for disposal of garbage and sanitation by the Department of Property Maintenance for trash in the front yard, but stated she would need an extension of time to deal with the ongoing issue, due to health concerns she has with bending over. She told the code officer she occasionally drops things and can’t pick them up, to which she was told she can’t keep putting trash in her front yard.

The trash now under all the grass includes tampons painted to look used and diapers made to look as if they have been soiled. And, there could be a child’s swimming pool.

To date, this violation has been reinspected several times and failed; therefore, fines are adding up.

In the most recent violation report, the DPMI issued a violation notice for weeds. In the City of Bradford, according to code, grass must be kept shorter than 8 inches and other vegetation in a manageable state. DPMI staff received a phone call from Fire who stated she had no desire to rectify the code issues at her property and would be paying none of the fines levied against her.

The violation notice details that if the owner does not correct this violation, then the city or a contractor will do so at the expense of the owner, plus 10%, and an additional fine.

According to the violation detail report, Fire stated, in a matter-of-fact manner, that she wanted to go to prison so her sibling “won’t get ahold of my money in there.” She also is reportedly telling DPMI that if the Abbott residence “is good enough to get the violation then the Thompson Avenue property better get one, too, remarking, “the grass there is as high as my ass.”

Both properties have failed inspection several times and as of Wednesday, Fire had not paid any of the fines.

Intervention?

The Department of Aging has been called twice, a neighbor said. Residents were told there is nothing the department can do because “(Fire) doesn’t meet the criteria” for intervention.

“How do you show that even though someone gets up and gets dressed, drives a car, how do you show them that something is not right, she needs help, but they just don’t see it,” a neighbor said.

Neighbors, authorities and others who have tried to intervene said that all relevant agencies have been called and several have been turned away at Fire’s door. Not even clergy or parishioners have been able to get Fire to relent.

Some have said, “why not just mow her grass for her” or “wouldn’t one get more flies with honey,” but her neighbors and so many others agree, all has been attempted — she has isolated herself.

Authorities have said that until Fire is a threat to herself or others, there is nothing that can be done besides issue citations for violating city codes.

Chris Lucco, city administrator, said that “there have been no threats of violence toward others.”

Nevertheless, neighbors and city officials understand that concerning actions or behaviors may not indicate a path to destructive behavior, but the striking changes in Fire’s behavior and actions as a neighbor may indicate the need for intervention at some level.