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ARSON SQUAD - A PROGRAM EVALUATION

NCJ Number
65255
Author(s)
E S GREG
Date Published
Unknown
Length
21 pages
Annotation
BECAUSE NEITHER THE SPRINGFIELD FIRE NOR POLICE DEPARTMENT WAS ABLE TO FOCUS NEEDED ATTENTION ON INCENDIARY FIRES OF SUSPICIOUS ORIGIN, THE MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT ESTABLISHED AN ARSON SQUAD.
Abstract
THE SQUAD CONTAINED MEMBERS OF BOTH DEPARTMENTS BUT HAD CENTRALIZED AUTHORITY AND SCOPE. ITS RESPONSIBILITY WAS TO INVESTIGATE ALL FIRES WHOSE ESTIMATED DAMAGE EXCEEDED $100, THAT APPEAR TO BE OF INCENDIARY OR SUSPICIOUS ORIGIN, THAT INVOLVE EXPLOSIONS AND SERIOUS BURNS, THAT ARE CLASSIFIED AS UNDETERMINED OR REQUIRE INVESTIGATION, AND THAT INVOLVE JUVENILES. THE SQUAD WAS GIVEN A BUDGET OF $40,000 TO $75,000 THE FIRST YEAR AND CHARGED WITH REDUCING THE CITIES ARSON RATE BY 10 PERCENT. THE SQUAD WOULD BE IMPLEMENTED ON A 1-YEAR EXPERIMENTAL BASIS, TO BE EVALUATED AT THE YEAR'S END USING SEVERAL MEASURES: (1) HOW WELL THE PROGRAM IS MEETING GOALS, (2) EXTENT TO WHICH PROGRAM CONTRIBUTES TO SUCCESS OF CITY'S IMPACT PROGRAM, AND (3) CONTRIBUTION OF INDIVIDUAL AGENCIES TO SQUAD'S OVERALL SUCCESS. THE PROGRAM DID MEET ITS OBJECTIVE AT EVALUATION TIME, PUTTING ITSELF ON AN EQUAL FOOTING WITH OTHER PROGRAMS OF THIS TYPE TO GET FEDERAL FUNDING. THE ARREST RATE WAS AROUND 12 PERCENT FOR ARSON COMPARED TO OTHER INDEX CRIMES, AND THIS DESPITE SHORTAGES OF EQUIPMENT, LACK OF OFFICE SPACE AT THE PROGRAM'S ONSET, LACK OF PERSONNEL EXPERIENCED IN ARSON INVESTIGATION, AND LACK OF TRAINED STAND-INS. LEAA DATA ON ARSON INCIDENCE, LOSSES, ARRESTS AND CONVICTIONS, AND FIRE DEPARTMENT RESPONSE TIMES ARE PROVIDED. BACKGROUND MATERIAL ON ARSON AND LAW ENFORCEMENT'S RESPONSE IS ALSO INCLUDED. (DAG)

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