Homeless piano man evicted after setting up shop in alley

A homeless man who plays piano on Maiden Lane in Windsor has been evicted from hismakeshift homein 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.

Piano man evicted from makeshift house

6 years ago

Duration 1:03

The city came to evict the man's belongings under the watchful of eye of two police officers.

Isley, who works at a home decor store on Maiden Lane, set up the electronic piano to help Zavitzin 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.

Piano man performs in front of home decor store

6 years ago

Duration 0:38

A home decor store set up an electronic piano to help Jarrod Zavitz.

"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," saidIsley, 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 saidhe 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 thinkthat is the most difficult part is people brush us off," said Zavitz.

Windsor Deputy Police Chief Brad Hill saidpolice received a complaint yesterday about garbage in the alley. He saidpolice 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, Zavitzis holdingonto hope.

After hearing media reportsof his troublespeoplehave come forward to donate money, pianos, a place to stayand even some paying piano gigs.

"Sometimes I don't feel worth it, I don't feel like I deserve it ... It's just veryoverwhelming."