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Juvenile Firesetter - And School Arson Prevention Programs

NCJ Number
92084
Author(s)
C L Karchmer
Date Published
Unknown
Length
19 pages
Annotation
School-based arson prevention programs, which offer mixtures of personal counseling and target hardening strategies, have drastically reduced incendiary fires in educational institutions.
Abstract
This report is designed to assist readers in developing programs for their localities. The guide discusses underlying causes of arson and firesetting motivations. Firesetting motives include vandalism; revenge, spite, and jealousy; crime and concealment; and arson-for-profit and intimidation. Effective programs have been developed to prevent arson by juvenile firesetters. Elements of successful programs include early and accurate diagnosis of youths who set fires and determining their level of 'firesetting risk.' Five noteworthy juvenile firesetter counseling programs are reviewed. They include programs located in San Francisco; Dallas; Los Angeles County; Mesa, Ariz., and Prince Georges County, Md. Each featured program is profiled by summarizing its prominent and distinguishing features. Technical assistance resources and about 20 references are listed.