NCJ Number
54263
Journal
JOURNAL OF AMERICAN INSURANCE Volume: 53 Issue: 4 Dated: (WINTER 1977-1978) Pages: 12-15
Date Published
1978
Length
4 pages
Annotation
THREE PROPOSALS FOR TIGHTENING CONTROLS ON ARSON ARE DISCUSSED: DESIGNATING IT A UNIFORM CRIME REPORTS PART 1 CRIME, ESTABLISHING A PENAL CODE FOR ARSONISTS, AND PERMITTING EXCHANGE OF ARSON-RELATED INFORMATION.
Abstract
STATISTICS SHOW THAT 36 PERCENT OF FIRES OCCURRING ANNUALLY ARE ARSON-RELATED AND THAT THE COST OF ARSON IN 1975 WAS CLOSE TO $1.2 BILLION. ARSON INCIDENCE HAS JUMPED TENFOLD SINCE THE 1950'S. THE GLEN AMENDMENT (SENATE BILL 1882) PROPOSES MOVING ARSON FROM A PART 2 TO A PART 1 UNIFORM CRIME REPORTS CRIME SO THAT IT CAN BE ACCURATELY ANALYSIZED ON A NATIONWIDE BASIS. A GROUP OF NATIONAL INSURANCE ORGANIZATION REPRESENTATIVES HAS DEVELOPED A MODEL ARSON PENAL CODE PROVIDING SANCTIONS FOR ACTS THAT ENDANGER BOTH LIFE AND PROPERTY, OR CAUSE DAMAGE TO REAL AND PERSONAL PROPERTY BY FIRE OR EXPLOSION, CONSPIRACY TO CAUSE A FIRE OR EXPLOSION, MAKING FALSE REPORTS CONCERNING THE PLACEMENT OF INCENDIARY EXPLOSIVE DEVICES, FAILURE TO REPORT OR CONTROL A DANGEROUS FIRE, AND OTHER ACTS. ANOTHER GROUP OF INSURANCE COMPANY REPRESENTATIVES HAS STRUCTURED A MODEL REPORTING IMMUNITY LAW WHICH WOULD ALLOW INSURANCE COMPANIES, ARSON INVESTIGATORS, AND PROSECUTORS TO FREELY EXCHANGE INFORMATION ON ARSON. IT STIPULATES THAT INVESTIGATIVE AUTHORITIES MUST BE INFORMED OF FIRES WITH SUSPICIOUS ORIGINS. (DAG)