NCJ Number
66967
Date Published
1979
Length
423 pages
Annotation
THIS REFERENCE VOLUME ON ARSON CONTROL GIVES DIRECTIONS FOR ESTABLISHING A LOCAL ARSON CONTROL TASK FORCE, LISTS ARSON CONTROL ORGANIZATIONS BY STATE, AND RECOMMENDS IMPROVEMENTS IN ARSON CONTROL EFFORTS.
Abstract
IT IS ESTIMATED THAT ARSON, WHICH INCLUDES ALL INTENTIONAL FIRES OR THOSE OF SUSPICIOUS ORIGIN, CAUSES 20 TO 50 PERCENT OF ALL BUILDING FIRES, 6 TO 21 PERCENT OF ALL FIRE DEATHS, AND PROPERTY LOSSES OF ALMOST A BILLION DOLLARS A YEAR. SINCE ARSON IS DIFFICULT TO PROSECUTE BUT IS NEVERTHELESS ON THE INCREASE, COMMUNITIES SHOULD FORM ARSON CONTROL TASK FORCES TO MARSHALL ARSON FIGHTING EFFORTS AND FOSTER COOPERATION AMONG CONCERNED PUBLIC AND PRIVATE ORGANIZATIONS. EACH TASK FORCE SHOULD BE A COALITION OF SCHOOLS, MEDIA, LOCAL GOVERNMENT, INSURANCE COMPANIES, PROSECUTORS, AND POLICE, WORKING CLOSELY WITH STATE AGENCIES, BUSINESS, AND OTHERS. INFORMATION ON A NATIONAL ANTIARSON COALITION OF INSURANCE COMPANIES AND A DIRECTORY OF NATIONAL ARSON CONTROL ORGANIZATIONS IS PRESENTED. A DIRECTORY OF STATE ARSON CONTROL ORGANIZATIONS AND OFFICIALS INCLUDES FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION REGIONAL OFFICES, ATTORNEYS GENERAL, STATE FIRE INVESTIGATION AUTHORITIES AND INSURANCE DEPARTMENTS, ARSON HOTLINES, AND PUBLIC INFORMATION CONTACTS. A SAMPLE SPEECH ON ARSON TO GUIDE INTERESTED PERSONS IN WRITING OR SPEAKING ON ARSON DISCUSSES ARSON STATISTICS, PUBLIC ARSON MISINFORMATION, ARSON MOTIVES, AND OTHER SUBJECTS. PROPOSED FEDERAL ANTIARSON LEGISLATION AUTHORIZES ARSON CONTROL GRANTS COMBINED FEDERAL AGENCIES INVOLVED IN ARSON CONTROL. A FINAL SECTION OF ANTIARSON RECOMMENDATIONS COVER TRAINING ARSON INVESTIGATORS, DATA COLLECTION, AND LEGISLATIVE MATTERS. TABLES ARE INCLUDED.