NCJ Number
54873
Date Published
1978
Length
32 pages
Annotation
AFTER A REVIEW OF ARSON STATISTICS, THIS REPORT DISCUSSES CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, LEGAL, AND COMMUNITY CHANGES WHICH COULD HELP CONTROL AND PREVENT ARSON.
Abstract
ANNUALLY, ARSON CAUSES HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS LOSS IN PRIVATE PROPERTY, 500 TO 1,000 DEATHS, AND 10,000 TO 15,000 INJURIES. SEVERAL SUGGESTIONS FOR CHECKING THE RAPID INCREASE IN ARSON INCIDENCE ARE PRESENTED, SOME OF WHICH WOULD REQUIRE FEDERAL INVESTMENTS, AND SOME OF WHICH WOULD REQUIRE PUBLIC AGENCY AND PRIVATE SECTOR FUNDS AND ACTIVITY. UNIFORM CRIME REPORTING DATA ON ARSON COULD BE EXPANDED TO INCLUDE COMPREHENSIVE REGIONAL INFORMATION. ARSON INVESTIGATION METHODS AND TOOLS COULD BE IMPROVED AND INVESTIGATORS TRAINED IN INVESTIGATIVE METHODS. INSURANCE COMPANY REGULATIONS AND HOUSING AND BANKING POLICIES SHOULD BE REEXAMINED AND ALTERED TO REMOVE THE POSSIBILITY FOR ECONOMIC GAIN FROM ARSON. MODEL ARSONS LAWS AND ANTIFRAUD LEGISLATION SHOULD BE DEVELOPED TO DETER ARSONISTS, AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD BE EDUCATED ABOUT THE SIGNIFICANCE OF ARSON AND THE MOTIVES OF ARSONISTS. IF THE COMMUNITY PROGRAMS FOR ARSON PREVENTION IN CITIES SUCH AS SEATTLE, WA., AND BOSTON, MASS., WERE DOCUMENTED, OTHER CITIES MIGHT TRANSFER THE MODELS TO THEIR COMMUNITIES. CHARTS DESCRIBING ARSON RATES AND CHARACTERISTICS ARE PROVIDED. (DAG)