NCJ Number
60570
Journal
JOURNAL OF AMERICAN INSURANCE Dated: (FALL/WINTER 1978) Pages: 12-14
Date Published
1978
Length
3 pages
Annotation
GUIDELINES ARE DISCUSSED FOR FORMING AND STAFFING A COMMUNITY-SUPPORTED ARSON TASK FORCE. PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS ARE GIVEN FOR CHOOSING A LEADER AND IMPLEMENTING THE PROGRAM.
Abstract
COMMUNITY COOPERATION AND AWARENESS CAN HELP TO CONTROL ARSON. A GROUP CONCERNED CITIZENS OR CIVIC ORGANIZATION SHOULD BEGIN WITH A WELL FORMULATED PLAN. THE CHAIRMAN SHOULD HAVE HIGH COMMUNITY VISIBILITY AND RESPECT, WITH THE SKILLS TO RESOLVE JURISDICTIONAL DISPUTES, BRIDGE DIFFERENCES AND GENERATE ENTHUSIASM. AN ARSON TASK FORCE SHOULD INCLUDE GROUPS TO DEAL WITH PUBLIC AWARENESS (EDUCATION AND THE MEDIA), INSURANCE MATTERS, LOCAL GOVERNMENT (ORDINANCES, CODES, DEEDS, TITLES, AND OTHER RECORDS), FIRES DETECTION-INVESTIGATION (FIRE MARSHAL, FIRE AND POLICE DEPARTMENTS, INSURANCE INDUSTRY, AND LAW ENFORCEMENT PROSECUTION (DISTRICT ATTORNEY, STATE'S ATTORNEY, U.S. ATTORNEY). ALL OF THESE COMPONENTS SHOULD WORK AS A TEAM, AND HAVE A CLOSE WORKING LIAISON WITH VARIOUS STATE AND SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES, COOPERATION OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT IS VITAL. (RFC)