NCJ Number
76868
Editor(s)
H M Weisman,
A Lima,
M Hunt
Date Published
1980
Length
144 pages
Annotation
This report documents the results and accomplishments of the White House antiarson strategy and the Federal assistance to States and localities for arson detection and prevention.
Abstract
In December 1979, the strategy for coordinating and integrating arson prevention and control programs of the key agencies concerned with the problem was announced. In the following year, 11 Federal agencies worked towards accomplishing the strategy's 66 recommendations by detecting and investigating arson rings, providing training to arson investigators, establishing juvenile firesetter counseling programs, and supporting community antiarson actions. Efforts were also made to revise insurance company regulations and procedures and to educate the public about their role in preventing and controlling arson. The recommendations are organized into sections dealing with the management of arson prevention and control, the investigation and prosecution of arson, economic factors in arson, and the psychology and behavior of firesetters; the accomplishments related to each recommendation are reviewed. Significant progress has been evidenced in the establishment of 177 arson task forces in States, counties, and communities across the country and of 26 arson strike force teams in selected cities -supplemented by 4 national response teams. Federal Arson Strike Force teams were able to break up nine major arson-for-profit rings with the assistance of local authorities. In addition, seven cities are developing arson information management systems to predict potential arsons, and Juvenile Firesetter Counseling programs are successfully reducing firesetting by children. Cooperative efforts of the insurance industry and of national organizations and programs are also reported. Footnotes are included, and appendixes contain tables outlining LEAA Arson Control Programs and the progress made in the States concerning arson prevention.