'It makes you sleep better'

Arrest of Russ Williams
Posted By Jason Miller
Posted February 11th, 2010


JASON MILLER The Intelligencer

Investigators from the OPP's Forensic Identification Unit, are seen at Col. Russ Williams home Wednesday.

Andrea Bateman hasn't been too eager to go for walks with her dog, Chance, along Cosy Cove Lane in Tweed since the body of murder victim Jessica Lloyd was found earlier this week.

Calvin Sinclair is fighting to come to grips with how he came to live on the same street as an accused murderer.

Sinclair was, in some ways, coerced into moving to Cosy Cove lane, after his landlord gave him notice to leave his previous residence on Crookston Road in Tweed. Sinclair immediately picked up his belongings and moved to another rental property in the picturesque lakefront neighbourhood in September.

Sinclair's plan for a tranquil escape turned ugly after two female neighbours became victims of home invasions.

"We didn't have that long to enjoy the peace and quite," he said Wednesday, while walking by the the house owned by Col. Russ Williams.

Williams has been charged in the deaths of both Jessica Lloyd and Cpl. Marie-France Comeau. He also faces charges connected with the two home invasions.

Sinclair said that since the story exploded onto the national spotlight Monday, his neighbours have become less visible. He said although shocked, people are also relieved an arrest has been made.

"It makes you sleep better," he said.

Bill Page said that shock will hang over the community forever. He said the house would have to be demolished to give residents peace of mind.

"As you go by you (think of) Jessica," he said about Williams' cottage. "It sends a chill up your spine."

Page said the reputation of the area has been tarnished. It will also take a long time before neighbours start opening up to each other again, he said.

"It's going to take us a while to get over it," he said. "This use to be a care-free area. You got to think about things now."

Page said newcomers to the area may now find it difficult to fit in.

"It opens your eyes," he said. "You never know who lives down the street from you."

Andrea Bateman said she can't wait for the media and the police to leave, so the community can begin recovering.

She said community spirit has been knocked out of the area since the two home invasions in September, but Williams arrest on murder charges is a "heavier blow."

"Doors are closed and blinds have been drawn since September," she said. "I just want it all cleaned up."

Larry Jones has been alternating between horror and relief since Monday.

Jones was once considered a suspect in the two home invasions, but was officially cleared of suspicion since Williams' arrest.

"The mood has changed dramatically," he said. "People aren't afraid to speak to me because they know I'm not involved with it. It's kind of like old times again."

Jones said the story has had such far-reaching tentacles that he wouldn't be surprised to see curious onlookers flocking the area to catch a glimpse of the house.

"I think it will generate more interest because people will want to come here to see the house," he said. "People will be sightseeing as soon as the police pull out of here."