ARSON - A MULTI-DIMENSIONAL PROBLEM

• NCJ Number: 45851
• Author(s): N BORG; L DAVID
• Date Published: Unknown
• Length: 8 pages
• Corporate Author: Soc of Fire Protection Engineers
• Sale Source: Soc of Fire Protection Engineers
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: REPRINTED FROM SFPE TECHNOLOGY REPORT 76-4 ORIGINALLY PRESENTED AT THE ANNUAL SEMINAR OF THE NEW YORK CHAPTER OF THE SOCIETY OF FIRE PROTECTION ENGINEERS, APRIL 29, 1976, UNITED ENGINEERING CENTER, NEW YORK CITY

Annotation

ARSON AS A PUBLIC POLICY ISSUE IS DISCUSSED, WITH REFERENCE TO NEW YORK CITY'S STRIKE FORCE RESPONSE TO THE ARSON PROBLEM.

Abstract

ARSON IS THE FASTEST GROWING, AND ONE OF THE MOST COSTLY CRIMES IN THE UNITED STATES. IT IS NECESSARY TO DIFFERENTIATE BETWEEN PROFIT-MOTIVATED ARSON AND NONPROFIT-MOTIVATED ARSON. NONPROFIT MOTIVATIONS INCLUDE VANDALISM, REVENGE, PYROMANIA, AND ATTEMPTS TO CAMOUFLAGE OTHER CRIMES. PROFIT MOTIVATIONS INCLUDE INSURANCE PAYOUTS, RELOCATION BENEFITS, ROBBERY, WELFARE BENEFITS, RENT DECONTROL, EXTORTION, REHABILITATION AND URBAN RENEWAL GRANTS, AND TAX WRITE-OFFS. PROFIT-MOTIVATE FIRE SETTERS INCLUDE LANDLORDS, TENANTS, LAND SPECULATORS, MEMBERS OF ORGANIZED CRIME, DRUG ADDICTS, AND EVEN INSURANCE ADJUSTERS. A GREAT DEAL OF PROFIT-MOTIVATED ARSON CAN BE CONTROLLED BY REMOVING THE MOTIVE. INSURANCE COMPANIES SHOULD BE MORE SELECTIVE IN WRITING POLICIES AND SHOULD RESIST PAYMENT OF FIRE LOSSES MORE FREQUENTLY. ANOTHER ESSENTIAL ASPECT OF ARSON REDUCTION IS NEIGHBORHOOD PRESERVATION. VACANT BUILDINGS MUST BE DEMOLISHED OR SEALED. ARSON IS A SYMPTOM OF SUCH SOCIAL PHENOMENA AS POVERTY, A DETERIORATING HOUSING SITUATION, A POOR INVESTMENT CLIMATE, AND AN ANTIQUATED WELFARE SYSTEM. LEGAL CONSTRAINTS ON PUBLIC POLICY ALTERNATIVES MUST BE ALTERED TO FAVOR LAW-ABIDING TENANTS, LANDLORDS, AND BUSINESSMEN, NOT PROFIT-ORIENTED ARSONISTS. (LKM)