Did tampering with the Coatesville PD present the opportunity for arson in Coatesville?

Just in case there are any lingering doubts as to why many members of the City of Coatesville Police left the PD for more secure employment elsewhere in 2007.

Here is the letter from Coatesville Police Chief William Matthews to Chester County District Attorney Joseph W Carroll, May 18, 2007. "...Because of lay-off we will lose six (6) patrol officers."
http://www.box.net/shared/ha1zzj1b7d

The order to lay off police was rescinded shortly after May 18th but the police officers knew about it and many officers looked for better more secure jobs in other departments. The police officers did not know if and when the lay-off order would be reinstated. We lost some of our most experienced officers and detectives that had extensive knowledge of the community.

• The Narcotics Division was disbanded and its officers transferred to patrol.
• The bike unit was disbanded.
• The community relations officer was put on regular duty.
• Non-uniformed office staff was laid off. This added to the regular officers duties.

In all 15 Coatesville Police Officers left the 32 person Coatesville Police Force.

Lt. Matt Gordon was described by Joe Carroll as the most knowledgeable narcotics investigator in Chester County. Lt. Gordon was removed from the Coatesville PD and put on “administrative leave” by Chief William Matthews in October of 2007 and has not been on the force since then.

The results of all the tampering with the Coatesville PD were predictable; armed robbery, muggings, and shootings all increased dramatically. The news spread that the drug business was good again in Coatesville and drug dealers, some violent street gangs and guns came into Coatesville.

No one could foresee the dramatic increase in arson but the general lawlessness presented an opportunity for arson.

The Walker Administration was alleged to be resistant to requests from the PA State Police and ATF to come into Coatesville and investigate the arson for nearly a year. It was only after the Fleetwood Street fire that Governor Rendell forcefully asked the City of Coatesville to declare an emergency and the PA State Police and ATF began their investigation.