U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government, Department of Justice.

NCJRS Virtual Library

The Virtual Library houses over 235,000 criminal justice resources, including all known OJP works.
Click here to search the NCJRS Virtual Library

Arson-for-Profit: Its Impact on States and Localities -- Hearings Before the Subcommittee on Intergovernmental Relations, Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs, 95th Congress, 1st Session, December 14-15, 1977

NCJ Number
158599
Date Published
1977
Length
411 pages
Annotation
Hearings convened by the Senate Subcommittee on Intergovernmental Relations in December 1977 focused on the impact of arson for profit on States and localities.
Abstract
The opening statement noted the growing criminal threat of arson for profit and attempted to take the mantle of "white collar respectability" off the crime of arson for profit. The opening presenter also pointed out that arson for profit is not a new phenomenon, that unscrupulous property owners often "arrange" for fires in order to receive large insurance payments and favorable tax benefits, and that "professional torchers" earn over $300,000 yearly. Hearing participants discussed the growing sophistication of arson-related criminal activities, property ownership patterns, insurance requirements, and the problem of arson nationwide. Hearing participants represented various government and private organizations and agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the National Fire Prevention and Control Administration, the Property Loss Research Bureau, and the Fire Marshals Association of North America. They reported on ways of preventing arson and related property offenses, the conduct of arson investigations, and the need for adequate information on the arson problem. Tables and figures