ARSON FOR PROFIT
ARSON ’91
The first step in becoming alert to arsonists is to know why they set fires, who they are, and what their favorite targets are. They set fires for many reasons: profit, vandalism, revenge, crime cover-up, emotional disturbance, vanity, and even terrorism.
TARGETS
The following is a list of some of arsonists’ favorite targets:
- Vehicles. Most often these fires occur at night. The arsonist strips the car of all items of value and then sets it on fire in an isolated location near a high-crime area.
- Vacant buildings. Since no one is around, the arsonist goes unnoticed and the access is easy.
- Residences: Usually the arsonist
- strikes when no one is at home.
- Buildings under construction. Usually arson fires occur during the framing stages, at night, and when no security is on the premises.
- Trash, linen chutes. Poor storage practices and easy access make this an ideal place to set a fire.
- Churches. During the week there are few people around and the church is usually unlocked.
- Schools. Normally there is no one around at night or on weekends.
Brush areas. The vegetation is usually dry, and the areas are isolated and have easy access.
INDICATORS
Some possible indicators of fraud that fire suppression companies can recognize on the scene of fire incidents are:
- An intentionally set fire with the doors locked.
- An alarm system in the “off” position or out of order.
- Fire in the office area or record books.
- Newly constructed occupancy or improper construction.
- The ease with which the owner is contacted, or the owner already at the scene.
- Nonoperational equipment or outdated stock.
- Labor disputes.
- Witnesses or neighbors saying the business was doing poorly.
- The owner’s inability to dispose of vacant, unrentable, unmarketable property.
- Decline in property value.
- Recent increase in business competition.
- Building overinsured.
- Insurance policy about to expire.
- Multiple points of origin.
TACKLING THE ARSON PROBLEM
Predicting arson patterns means upgrading, modifying, and in some cases deleting current investigative practices and procedures. There are five interventions that every agency needs to incorporate into its operational procedures.
Develop an arson information system. This system is devised to identify problem areas, motives, streets, suspects, trademarks, other associations, fire causes, addresses, and locations.
Develop community watch groups and public awareness programs.
File for restitution for fire suppression and investigative expenses incurred.
Use the arson task force concept or the national response team to aid your investigation of arson-for-profit fires.
Use information from the Property Insurance Loss Register (PILR) or other sources of information to examine fire insurance claims that have been processed.
By developing these strategies you will deter arson for profit by increasing the risk factor and decreasing profits for the firesetter.