Arson in the
United States
The losses from arson are
staggering! There are many motives for arson, the
crime of deliberately and maliciously setting fire.
One particular type of arson, arson for profit or
economic arson is the theme for this year’s Arson
Awareness Week, May 3-9. Arson for profit occurs
when businesses or individuals set fires to reduce
financial loss, recoup initial investments, and
dispose of depreciated assets usually for a payout
from insurance companies.
Referring to all types of arson,
the Insurance Information Institute indicates that
arsonists destroyed nearly $900 million in insured
property and killed 295 civilians nationwide in 2007
alone. By drawing people’s attention to the
astounding statistics, we hope to expand the
resources and support necessary to reduce this
crime.
The National Fire Protection
Association (NFPA) reports that in 2005, fire
departments responded to an estimated 323,900
intentional fires. These fires resulted in:
- 490
civilian deaths
- 1,500
civilian fire injuries
- $1.1
billion in property damage
- 3 on-duty
firefighter fatalities
- 7,600
on-duty firefighter injuries
An intentional fire is a
fire that threatens harm or is started in a manner
inconsistent with the goal of a controlled fire that
avoids harm.
Larger cities have a larger
percentage of intentional structure fires.
According to FBI statistics:
- 18% of
arson offenses were cleared by arrest or
exceptional means
- In 2006,
49% of arrestees were under the age of 18
- An
estimated 5-7% of arson offenses result in
convictions
Most often, fires are set during
the night, making it difficult for investigators to
find an eye witness.
Fire spreads quickly. A fire that
starts at one property can easily spread to
neighboring properties. Even if the fire doesn’t
spread, one serious arson fire can damage an entire
neighborhood. Burned out homes can be a community
eyesore. And if burned out homes sit unrepaired,
they can decrease property values. Also, a damaged
house can be a magnet for additional intentional
fires or other vandalism. A damaged, vacant house
can even attract more serious criminals. Intentional
fires are part of a vicious cycle that drives good
families out and ruins entire neighborhoods.
What Can You Do?
Start with your own home.
- Look over
the area outside your home and consider what
could be easily ignited and then grow into a
larger fire. Clean the area. Make it harder for
people to find things to set on fire.
- Remove
dead branches and overgrown plants and
vegetation. Two-thirds of all reported
intentional fires are stated in outdoor items
like trash or brush.
- Pay
particular attention to any large items on your
property, such as abandoned cars. A large object
can mean a large fire that can easily spread to
a neighboring building. One out of every three
intentionally set fires is an intentionally set
car fire.
- Lock,
shutter, and board up vacant buildings and homes
to make it harder for intruders to enter. This
is especially important for a house or apartment
building that has been vacant for a long time
because the longer a building sits vacant, the
better the chance of it being discovered by
would-be fire setters.
- Clean up
overgrown plants and vegetation on vacant
property just as you would your own home.
- Watch for
kids! Half the people arrested for arson are
under the age of 18.
- Get to
know the families and kids in your neighborhood
or apartment building.
- Report
suspicious activity to your local police
department. Organize or participate in a
neighborhood watch program.
Intentionally set fires are a
community problem. We can all take steps to help
protect our properties and neighborhoods. Being
aware of the statistics and of what’s going on in
your neighborhood are good starting points.
Requests for Public Education by BTFD:
Station Tour Form
Program Speaker Request Form
Public Event Request Form
|
