NCJ Number
80859
Date Published
1981
Length
79 pages
Annotation
This report describes New Orleans' arson reduction program conducted between January 1980 and June 1981 and evaluates its accomplishments in the areas of training, cooperation between the police and fire departments, and the creation of a special investigative unit.
Abstract
The mayor of New Orleans appointed an arson task force in September 1979 to direct arson reduction efforts in response to a report from the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council that described several problems in the detection, investigation, and prosecution of arson. The city did not receive an LEAA grant targeted for arson reduction programs, but used block grant funds to train police and fire investigators and purchase equipment. Because the program was only operational for 18 months, this evaluation focused on process measures such as interagency cooperation and training rather than impact measures. Data was collected from records maintained by fire investigators, interviews, and observations of task force meetings. The goal of establishing routine channels of cooperation between the fire department, the police department, and the courts has been largely achieved. An arson squad was formed in January 1980 of investigators from both departments who now work together in teams of two and meet weekly to review cases. An assistant district attorney has been appointed to help the squad improve the quality of their cases. All squad members have been trained at the National Fire Academy or are scheduled for training and needed equipment has been purchased. Because of limited arson information from earlier years, the goals of reducing arson and increasing arson investigations were difficult to assess. Since the program began, arrests for arson rose only slightly, but the number convicted showed a definite increase. In addition, more arsonists are being incarcerated. As squad members become more experienced and routine records are kept, further increases in convictions and decreases in arson incidents may result. Recommendations for improving the program's effectiveness address clerical support, a computerized information system, and greater cooperation with insurance companies. The appendixes contain sample tracking and report forms, an assessment of the arson task force by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the New Orleans ordinance against arson. Statistical tables are provided.