NCJ Number
53351
Date Published
1978
Length
452 pages
Annotation
TESTIMONY BY OFFENDERS, VICTIMS, OFFICIALS, INSURANCE COMPANY REPRESENTATIVES, AND OTHERS ON THE PROBLEM OF ARSON FOR PROFIT IS RECORDED.
Abstract
THE TESTIMONY CONCERNS A TYPE OF CRIME THAT HAS RESULTED IN LOSSES ESTIMATED AT $2 BILLION ANNUALLY. AN ESTIMATED 1,000 PEOPLE DIE EACH YEAR IN PURPOSELY SET FIRES, AND ANOTHER 10,000 ARE INJURED. ARSON HAS AN EXTRAORDINARY ECONOMIC EFFECT, CAUSING INSURANCE PREMIUMS TO RISE AND REMOVING BUILDINGS FROM CITY TAX ROLES. ARSON IS A CRIME THAT IS EASY AND PROFITABLE TO COMMIT AND DIFFICULT TO DETECT. PROSECUTIONS ARE FEW; ONLY 1 IN 100 ACCUSED ARSONISTS IS EVER CONVICTED. ALTHOUGH SOME LAW ENFORCEMENT EFFORTS HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN BREAKING UP ARSON-FOR-PROFIT RINGS, THE CRIME IS ON THE RISE. THE SUBCOMMITTEE HEARINGS EXPLORED THE ARSON-RELATED ROLES OF INSURANCE COMPANIES, LAW ENFORCEMENT AND, FIRE PROTECTION AGENCIES, AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. WITNESSES PROVIDE TESTIMONY ON THE FOLLOWING: THE NATURE AND EXTENT OF ARSON FOR PROFIT; THE EFFECTIVENESS OF FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT EFFORTS; THE COORDINATION OF THOSE EFFORTS WITH THE EFFORTS OF FIRE PREVENTION SPECIALISTS; AND THE APPROPRIATENESS OF EXISTING LAWS. AMONG THE WITNESSES ARE THREE ARSONISTS, GOVERNMENT ATTORNEYS WHO SUCCESSFULLY PROSECUTED A LARGE ARSON CONSPIRACY RING IN TAMPA, FLA., A MAN CONVICTED AS PART OF THAT CONSPIRACY, INSURANCE INDUSTRY REPRESENTATIVES, PERSONS WHO HAD LOST PROPERTY TO FIRES THAT APPARENTLY WERE PURPOSELY SET, ILLINOIS STATE OFFICIALS, THE SAN JOSE, CALIF., CHIEF OF POLICE, AND REPRESENTATIVES OF FEDERAL AGENCIES. SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION INCLUDES REPORTS OF THE GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTING OFFICE ON ARSON. (LKM)