NCJ Number
72890
Journal
Fire and Arson Investigator Volume: 30 Issue: 4 Dated: (April-June 1980) Pages: 27-38
Date Published
1980
Length
12 pages
Annotation
A former New Haven, Conn. mayor describes the city's antiarson strategy.
Abstract
Since deteriorated and abandoned buildings are often candidates for arson, early antiarson measures in 1976 involved a Neighborhood Preservation Program, which provided loans and grants to homeowners for the repair of such buildings, and a homesteading program, which sold properties for one dollar to persons of limited income who were regularly employed. In 1977, the city's Arson Task Force was formed in order to develop recommendations for an antiarson strategy. A number of improvements resulted. A new Arson Squad was formed of two police detectives and two fire investigators from the Fire Marshal's Office. The squad swiftly and thoroughly investigates all fires of suspicious origin. An Arson Alert Training Program taught police and firefighters arson-spotting techniques. Furthermore, arson training was incorporated into the regular in-station training program for all firefighters. New State laws were supported. Those enacted included a law which clarifies the time when municipal tax liens may be placed on fire insurance claim proceeds and enables municipalities to subject these proceeds to liens for demolition costs; a law which enables any agency charged with the investigation of suspicious fires to acquire information from involved insurance companies (which receive full civil immunity) and which allows exchanges of information on buildings that are potential arson targets; and a law which provides increased penalties for all crimes involving intentional burning. Finally, a comprehensive records and information system for the analysis of all available arson-related data was initiated. The system already provides on-line information on each fire that has occurred in the city, and an Arson Early Warning System will be added. The System will enable the prediction of likely arson targets and indicate the steps necessary to prevent arson offenses. Data tables are included. References are not listed.