NCJ Number
46682
Date Published
1977
Length
37 pages
Annotation
A SURVEY OF THE ARSON PROBLEM IS PRESENTED IN A REPORT DIRECTED PRIMARILY TO CITY OFFICIALS IN LOS ANGELES COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
Abstract
THE REPORT COVERS THE NATURE OF THE CRIME OF ARSON, THE IMPACT OF ARSON ON SOCIETY, FACTORS THAT HAVE IMPEDED EFFORTS TO REDUCE THE INCIDENCE OF ARSON, AND THE STATUS OF ARSON DETECTION AND INVESTIGATION IN CALIFORNIA AND IN LOS ANGELES COUNTY. THE GROWING PROBLEM WITH ARSON IS ATTRIBUTED TO THE FOLLOWING FACTORS: IGNORANCE ABOUT THE IMPACT OF ARSON ON THE ENVIRONMENTAL AND ECONOMIC STRUCTURE OF COMMUNITIES; PROBLEMS IN COMBINING POLICE AND FIRE RESOURCES TO DETECT AND INVESTIGATE ARSON; COMPLEX ARSON LAWS AND LEGAL REQUIREMENTS FOR PROSECUTION; AND INABILITY TO APPREHEND ARSONISTS. TO IMPROVE ARSON INVESTIGATION, PARTICULARLY IN LOS ANGELES COUNTY, RECOMMENDATIONS ARE PRESENTED RELATIVE TO THE FOLLOWING: ENLIGHTENMENT OF MUNICIPAL LAWMAKERS, PUBLIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATORS, AND THE PUBLIC WITH REGARD TO THE SEVERITY OF THE ARSON PROBLEM; DEVELOPMENT OF ALTERNATIVE FUNDING SOURCES FOR ANTIARSON PROGRAMS; CLARIFICATION OF CALIFORNIA ARSON STATUTES; INCREASED ATTENTION TO THE ARSON PROBLEM ON THE PART OF THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE; IMPROVEMENT OF COORDINATION AND TRANSFER OF ARSON INFORMATION; ESTABLISHMENT OF AN ARSON INDEX REFERENCE SYSTEM IN LOS ANGELES COUNTY; AND ENHANCEMENT OF COOPERATION BETWEEN FIRE DEPARTMENTS AND INSURANCE COMPANIES. (LKM)