NCJ Number
55681
Journal
Security World Volume: 16 Issue: 3 Dated: (MARCH 1979) Pages: 14,53-55
Date Published
1979
Length
4 pages
Annotation
A PROGRAM TO PREVENT ARSON IN SEATTLE, WASH., IS DESCRIBED, AND PROGRAMS TO COMBAT CRIME IN OTHER STATES AND AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL ARE BRIEFLY MENTIONED.
Abstract
FOLLOWING 4 YEARS OF ASCENDING LOSSES DUE TO ARSON, SEATTLE ESTABLISHED AN ARSON PREVENTION PROGRAM WHICH CONSISTS OF THE FOLLOWING COMPONENTS: (1) THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A TASK FORCE CONSISTING OF REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE FIRE AND POLICE DEPARTMENTS, THE MAYOR'S OFFICE, THE CITY COUNCIL, THE COUNTY PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE AND DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY, THE COUNTY FIRE CHIEFS, THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, AND THE WASHINGTON INSURANCE COUNCIL; (2) THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN ARSON-ANALYSIS PROGRAM IN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, DESIGNED TO PROVIDE MORE COMPLETE AND USABLE DATA ON WHEN AND WHERE ARSON INCIDENTS ARE LIKELY TO OCCUR; (3) THE DEPLOYMENT OF FIRE PERSONNEL TO CRUISE HIGH RISK AREAS IN MARKED CARS DURING NIGHT HOURS; (4) THE VISITING OF RESIDENTS OF HIGH RISK COMMUNITIES BY FIREFIGHTERS TO EXPLAIN HOW CITIZENS CAN HELP CONTROL THE INCIDENCE OF ARSON IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS; (5) THE DELINEATION OF SPHERES OF RESPONSIBILITY FOR VARIOUS LAW ENFORCEMENT AND FIRE AGENCIES AND THE TRAINING OF APPROPRIATE PERSONNEL IN THE MOST SOPHISTICATED ARSON INVESTIGATION TECHNIQUES; (6) THE WASHINGTON INSURANCE COUNCIL'S ESTABLISHMENT OF A FUND TO AWARD $5,000 TO ANYONE WHO PROVIDES INFORMATION OR ASSISTANCE THAT LEADS TO THE ARREST AND CONVICTION OF AN ARSONIST; AND (7) THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN ARSON HOTLINE WHICH AIDS IN COLLECTING AND DISSEMINATING INFORMATION ON SUSPECTED ARSONISTS. A SIGNIFICANT REDUCTION IN ARSON INCIDENTS AND LOSSES HAS OCCURRED SINCE THE INSTITUTION OF THESE COUNTERMEASURES. STATES AND CITIES WITH SIMILAR PROGRAMS ARE MENTIONED, AND A NATIONAL EFFORT BY THE ALL-INDUSTRY COMMITTEE FOR ARSON CONTROL, A NEWLY-FORMED ORGANIZATION CONSISTING OF NATIONAL TRADE ASSOCIATIONS AND COMPANIES FROM THE PROPERTY-LIABILITY INSURANCE INDUSTRY, IS DESCRIBED. AID ON THE FEDERAL LEVEL IS CONSIDERED, AND STEPS TO BE TAKEN BY A LOCAL CITIZEN TO STIMULATE LOCAL ARSON PREVENTION PROGRAMS ARE INDICATED. (RCB)