ARSON - A MULTIFACETED PROBLEM

• NCJ Number: 64866
• Author(s): ANON
• Date Published: 1980
• Length: 53 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: US Fire Admin (Federal Emergency Management Agency)
• Corporate Author: Public Technology, Inc
• Sale Source: Arson Bulletin Public Technology, Inc
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: SUBSCRIBERS TO PTI RECEIVE BULLETIN FREE OF CHARGE.

Annotation

BASED ON THE U.S. FIRE ADMINISTRATION'S REPORT TO THE CONGRESS, THIS BULLETIN DISCUSSES THE ARSON PROBLEM, IDENTIFIES ANTIARSON PROGRAMS USEFUL TO LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, AND SUGGESTS PROJECTS TO COMBAT ARSON.

Abstract

ARSON IS A NATIONAL PROBLEM, PARTICULARLY IN URBAN AREAS. IT AFFECTS MANY ELEMENTS OF A COMMUNITY--FIRE SAFETY, CRIMINAL JUSTICE, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, INSURANCE, BANKING, AND HOUSING. FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT ANTIARSON EFFORTS TO BE SUCCESSFUL, THE RESOURCES OF THESE COMMUNITY ELEMENTS MUST BE MARSHALED. CONSTRAINTS AGAINST SOLUTION OF THE ARSON PROBLEM INCLUDE THE VARIETY OF MOTIVES FOR ARSON; THE NONUNIFORM REPORTING OF ARSON DATA; THE BUILT-IN INCENTIVE TO ARSON IN THE BANKING, HOUSING, AND INSURANCE INDUSTRIES AND IN THE FEDERAL AND STATE REGULATIONS THAT GOVERN THESE INDUSTRIES; THE DIFFICULTY OF PROVING ARSON AND CONVICTING THE ARSONIST; AND THE LACK OF COORDINATION AMONG THE ANTIARSON ELEMENTS IN A COMMUNITY. HOWEVER, ACTIVITIES OF THE U.S. FIRE ADMINISTRATION (USFA) HAVE PROVEN USEFUL. THE USFA IS INVOLVED IN DOCUMENTING SUCCESSFUL ANTIARSON PROGRAMS, PROVIDING TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO STATE AND LOCAL ARSON TASK FORCES, DEVOTING A CONFERENCE TO ARSON, PROVIDING TRAINING ON ARSON DETECTION AND INVESTIGATION AT THE NATIONAL FIRE ACADEMY, AND ESTABLISHING AN ARSON RESOURCE CENTER. STATEWIDE ORGANIZATIONS HAVE ALSO BEEN ACTIVE IN COMBATING THE ARSON EPIDEMIC BY ESTABLISHING TASK FORCES, ANTIARSON PUBLIC AWARENESS PROGRAMS, ARSON TIPSTER HOTLINES AND REWARD PROGRAMS, INVESTIGATION TEAMS, AND ARSON EARLY WARNING INFORMATION SYSTEMS. SIMILARLY, INSURANCE COMPANIES HAVE LAUNCHED PUBLIC AWARENESS CAMPAIGNS, HELD TRAINING SEMINARS FOR CLAIMS PERSONNEL AND OTHERS, LOBBIED FOR STRICTER LAWS AGAINST ARSON, AND DEVELOPED A COMPUTER DATABASE TO TRACK FRAUDULENT CLAIMS (THE PROPERTY INSURANCE LOSS REGISTER). STATE AND LOCAL ARSON LAWS ARE NOTED. LISTS OF ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS TO CONTACT FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ARE INCLUDED, ALONG WITH A SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY AND INDEX. (WJR)