Also this issue:

O'Riled
A. Bruce Crawley shouts with Fox's Bill O'Reilly about the Daily News.
-Deborah Bolling

Pole-Vaulting
Another group of Eastern-European gunsels makes its mark.
-Brendan McGarvey

Final Talley
-Mary F. Patel

I'll Gladly Pay You on Tuesday For a Hamburger Today
-Daniel Brook

Soundbites
New Stinky at the Inky
-Deborah Bolling

The Bell Curve
City Paper's weekly gauge of Philly's Quality of Life

December 12-18, 2002

city beat

The Fire This Time

Flare-up: Congressman Chaka Fattahâs West Philadelphia office has been vandalized in recent weeks. Photo By: Michael T. Regan

A man was arrested for torching Congressman Fattah's office.

by Daryl Gale

There have been some strange goings-on at Congressman Chaka Fattah’s University City office at 4104 Walnut St. What’s strange is that someone has been leaving animal bones and entrails at the door to the office, and last month a fire was deliberately set, causing extensive damage to the office door. An arrest was made, but the congressman’s staff doesn’t know the alleged perpetrator, or the nature of his beef.

On Nov. 26, William Hawes, 53, of the 4200 block of Powelton Avenue, was arrested by Southwest detectives and socked with a laundry list of charges, including arson, criminal mischief, possession of an instrument of crime and causing a catastrophe. According to Philadelphia Police Department spokesman Sgt. Roland Lee, Hawes was arraigned the same day, and released after posting bail. A preliminary hearing was continued from last Friday, so Hawes will have his day in court Jan. 17.

Contacted by cell phone this week as he arrived at 30th Street Station from his Washington office, Fattah says he has no idea what Hawes would have against him.

"I don't know Mr. Hawes, and neither I nor my staff have any knowledge of the nature of his problem," Fattah says, being careful to note that Hawes has not yet been convicted and is therefore presumed innocent. "I didn't see any of the vandalism or evidence of the fire, because I was in Washington during each of the incidents. I don't want to minimize the case, because arson escalates the matter beyond just rubbish or garbage being dumped. Any time there's a fire, there's the danger of someone being hurt. Thankfully, that wasn't the case and no one was injured."

According to sources, there is security camera video of someone dropping bones and animal parts on the property, but the poor tape quality plus the fact that it was dark may prevent positive identification. Hawes was sought as a suspect when personal papers found in a bible were left on the scene with Hawes' name and address.

Fattah also disputed a news report on Action News at the time that his office was the target of threatening letters and phone calls. Repeated calls to Action News were unanswered at press time.

"While all public officials receive threats from time to time, I haven't been a target for that kind of thing since I spoke in President Clinton's defense during the impeachment mess a few years ago," Fattah says. "I can say categorically that I haven't been receiving an unusual amount of threats, and certainly none that pertains to this case, as far as I know."

Fattah laughs heartily when asked if he thinks he's in any real danger. He says he's lived in West Philly most of his life, and continues to walk the streets of his district unafraid. And as for added security, he claims not to have taken any extra measures since the incidents.

"There has not been a circumstance in my life in Philadelphia where I or my family have felt threatened," he says, still laughing. "And I almost always travel alone. Right now I'm at 30th Street Station; I just took the train up from D.C. alone. I walk through that neighborhood alone all the time -- just yesterday in fact. I don't have a bodyguard or an entourage."

The congressman says he's been concentrating his efforts on legislative matters lately, like bringing home the bacon for Philadelphia's school children with his GEAR UP initiative, which has resulted in nearly $40 million earmarked for school coffers, as well as what he glowingly describes as dramatically increased test scores across the board. It's clear the veteran legislator would much rather talk about GEAR UP than William Hawes, but does offer the accused arsonist some tea and sympathy.

"If it's found that he has mental difficulties, we would certainly hope that he gets the help he needs," he says. "And if that's found to be the case, we'll do everything we can to help. My staff has done their jobs. They've reported the incidents, and been as cooperative and helpful as they can be to the investigating authorities. The rest is up to the courts and beyond our control."