NCJ Number
54320
Date Published
1978
Length
389 pages
Annotation
THIS SEATTLE (WASH.) ARSON TASK FORCE REPORT DESCRIBES THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES IN THE FIRST YEAR OF AN ARSON CONTROL AND PREVENTION CAMPAIGN.
Abstract
IN 1975, THE TASK FORCE REVIEWED THE STATUS OF ARSON AND ARSON CONTROL OPERATIONS IN THE STATE AND CONCLUDED THAT ARSON IS A SIGNIFICANT AND GROWING CRIME IN NEED OF A COMPREHENSIVE CONTROL PROGRAM. THE TASK FORCE LAID OUT RECOMMENDATIONS FOR SUCH A PROGRAM, AND THIS REPORT DOCUMENTS THE OUTCOME OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT'S AND LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY'S EFFORTS TO IMPLEMENT THEM. THE ARSON INVESTIGATIVE UNIT NOW ASSIGNS A 10-PERSON FORCE TO INVESTIGATE ALL FIRES REPRESENTING A LOSS OF AT LEAST $1,000, INCLUDING TWO ADDITIONAL INVESTIGATORS FROM THE POLICE DETECTIVE UNIT. ARSON INVESTIGATORS NOW RECEIVE 166 HOURS OF BASIC TRAINING IN ARSON INVESTIGATION TECHNIQUES AND EQUIPMENT USE. COOPERATION BETWEEN THE POLICE AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENTS HAS INCREASED, AND A POLICE FIRE PREVENTION PATROL HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED. THE PATROL OFFICERS SURVEY ARSON-RISK AREAS AND REMAIN HIGHLY VISIBLE IN THE COMMUNITY. A PUBLIC RELATIONS PROGRAM WAS ORGANIZED, AND STAFF MEMBERS DISSEMINATE INFORMATION THROUGH LOCAL MEDIA AND SCHOOLS. A JUVENILE REFERRAL SERVICE WAS SET UP WITHIN A LOCAL SERVICE AGENCY TO HELP COUNSEL CHILDREN WITH 'UNUSUAL INTEREST' IN FIRES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT HAS ALSO INITIATED AN ARSON INFORMATION RETRIEVAL SYSTEM WHICH COVERS 10 WASHINGTON CITIES. STATISTICS, AFTER THE FIRST YEAR OF THIS INTENSIVE ARSON CONTROL PROGRAM, INDICATE THAT THE INCIDENCE OF ARSON HAS DECREASED. A REPORT ON A SERIES OF STUDIES CONCERNING THE INCIDENCE OF ARSON IN THE PUGET SOUND AREA FROM 1965-1975 IS PROVIDED AS WELL AS TABULAR DATA, CHARTS, PROGRAM FORMS, AND LISTS OF TRAINING CURRICULA. (DAG)