Homeless piano man evicted after setting up shop in alley
City tears out belongings of homeless piano-playing busker
A homeless man who plays piano on Maiden Lane in Windsor has been evicted from his makeshift home in an alley behind the Pelissier Street parking garage.
"They just ripped out all of his belongings and scattered them," said a tearful Kate Isley, who just recently rented a piano for Jarrod Zavitz.
Isley, who works at a home decor store on Maiden Lane, set up the electronic piano to help Zavitz in front of the store.
She said trucks and workers with the city came to evict the man's belongings under the watchful of eye of two police officers Wednesday morning.
According to Isley, Zavitz had been living in a fenced off area in the alley. This morning, some remnants of sheets remained at the site along with a vehicle seat laying in the alley.
"We have alley lights that are supposed to be put up..and yet they sit in a room waiting to be put up, but the City of Windsor can come and rip up someone's home," said Isley, who wants to know who called the city to complain about him.
Zavitz, who was no where to be found after the altercation, is a former Naval reservist who is battling substance abuse. Isley said he is trying to get his life back together after a divorce.
"I had a really rough day today ... we are still a person and I think that is the most difficult part is people brush us off," said Zavitz.
Windsor Deputy Police Chief Brad Hill said police received a complaint yesterday about garbage in the alley. He said police called public works crews to remove wooden pallets and blankets from the scene because they posed a safety hazard.
Hill said police had no indication someone lived there but, if they had, they would have notified social services.
Even after a tremulous day, Zavitz is holding onto hope.
After hearing media reports of his troubles people have come forward to donate money, pianos, a place to stay and even some paying piano gigs.
"Sometimes I don't feel worth it, I don't feel like I deserve it ... It's just very overwhelming."
