IN 1978, LEAA APPROPRIATED $1.3 MILLION FOR ARSON-RELATED PROJECT BLOCK GRANTS, AND FUNNELLED THE LARGEST PART OF THIS AMOUNT INTO TRAINING LAW ENFORCEMENT AND FIREFIGHTING AGENCIES IN ARSON INVESTIGATION TECHNIQUES. LEAA AWARDED SUBSTANTIAL GRANTS TO FOUR COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS IN THE BRONX, N.Y., CHICAGO, ILL., SOUTH BEND, IND., AND LOWELL, MASS., IN 1978 TO TAILOR PROGRAMS TO THEIR ARSON PROBLEMS. CHICAGO'S NEIGHBORHOOD PROJECT PARTICIPANTS FORM ARSON CONTROL TASK FORCES THAT LAUNCH BLOCK WATCH PROGRAMS, HOLD FIRE PREVENTION WORKSHOPS, AND ASSIST ARSON WITNESSES; THE BRONX PROGRAM ASSIGNS RESIDENTS TO SPECIAL ARSON CONTROL TASKS, INCLUDING STREET WATCH PROJECTS AND WEEKEND HOTLINES; SOUTH BEND RESIDENTS COORDINATE POLICE, FIREFIGHTERS, AND THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY; AND LOWELL'S CITYWIDE PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS' PLAN IS TO ORGANIZE AND EDUCATE TENANTS ABOUT ARSON. AT THE SAME TIME, THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE BEGAN EXAMINING ARSON RESEARCH POSSIBILITIES AND IDENTIFIED 20 PRIORITIES. SOME OF THESE ARE PROJECTS TO DETERMINE CAUSES AND FORMS OF ARSON, TO EXAMINE LAWS AND POLICIES OF INSURANCE COMPANIES, PRIVACY REQUIREMENTS, ETC., THAT INFLUENCE ARSON CONTROL, AND TO ASSESS THE COSTS AND BENEFITS OF VARIOUS ANTIARSON EFFORTS. (DAG)