FIRE & ARSON INVESTIGATION 2008 UPDATE

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2 FIRE & ARSON INVESTIGATION 2008 UPDATE Joe Pierce, Deputy Chief Fire & Arson Investigation Division May 5,

3 Arson Update 2

4 What is Arson? 3

5 State Law Arson - an offense if a person starts a fire or causes an explosion with intent to destroy or damage any: Vegetation, fence, or structure on openspace land Building Habitation Vehicle 4

6 State Law (Continued) And, knowing that it is: Within city limits Insured Subject to a mortgage On property of another Within property of another, or Reckless and endangers an individual or property of another Criminal Mischief - an offense if a person damages or destroys property of another. This includes fire offenses not listed in the arson statute. 5

7 Arson Crime Criminal Punishments Arson Second Degree Felony - TDC 2 to 20 years and up to $10,000 fine Arson with Bodily Injury, or Arson of a Habitation or Place of Worship First Degree Felony - TDC 5 to 99 years or life and up to $10,000 fine Criminal Mischief Depends on value of property damaged or destroyed 6

8 Reasons Behind Arson For profit Revenge and prejudice Vanity Juvenile fire setters and vandalism Crime concealment Psychological compulsion Mass civil disturbance (Riot) Terrorism Gang initiations Thrill seekers and dares 7

9 What caused the fire? Is it arson? Arson Video #1 8

10 Major Arson Scene Investigation Arson Video #2 9

11 Cause Determination Witnesses Insurance Financial history Previous fire history Criminal background Case preparation Presenting the case Arson Video #3 10

12 Arson Investigators Specialized training Information sharing Teamwork Case preparation Testifying in court 11

13 Fire Stats Total Fire Loss $35,482,248 Incendiary Fire Loss.... $11,385,061 Incendiary Fires Average Loss Per Fire..... $17,583 12

14 Fire Loss in Dallas FY Church & Club & Restaurant 5% Storage 4% Other 1% Total - $35,482,248 Arson - $11,385,061 Store & Office 13% Vehicle 15% Residential 62% Accidental - $24,097,187 13

15 Fire Causes in Dallas FY Candle 1% Other 24% - Arson 43% 2,018 Investigations Careless Smoking 7% Cooking 10% Electrical 15% 14

16 Incendiary Fires FY Other Structures 7% Other 1% Vehicles 36% 880 Investigations $11,385,061 Fire Loss $4,137,896 Vehicle Fires Residential 56% 15

17 Number of Incendiary Fires per Fiscal Year Fiscal Year 2003/ / / /07 # of Incidents 1, ,

18 Arson Stats Total Arson Incidents Total Arson Arrests 1,400 1,200 1, , ,

19 Arson Awareness Week May 4 10,

20 Features Audio or visual effects Flashing lights, Lighted Electrical Diodes Musical notes, voices, songs Logos, decals, artwork Cartoon characters, animals, cars, food or beverages, toy guns, watches 19

21 Novelty Lighters What is a novelty lighter? In general, novelty lighters have features that make them attractive to children. A novelty lighter is defined as any lighter that has entertaining features or resembles an item commonly used by or found appealing by children 5 years of age or younger. 20

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23 Child Proof Make no mistake. We all know nothing is child proof. How about child resistant? Lighters manufactured or imported after July 1994 are required to be child resistant. This came about as the Consumer Products Safety Commission estimated that children younger than the age of five playing with cigarette lighters ignited 5,900 residential fires that resulted in 170 deaths and 1,150 injuries from the period of There is no quality control. Many of these lighters do not meet the requirements set forth by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. 22

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25 Arson Awareness/Prevention Develop Arson Awareness Program with Emphasis on Arson Prevention Strong Enforcement of State Arson Statutes Reward Incentive Program Crime Stoppers Educate the Community/Schools Publicize Case Filings 24

26 Arson Awareness/Prevention Established partnership with North Texas Crime Commission Crime Stoppers Applied for Grant with Homeland Security Fire Prevention and Safety Grants Will seek additional grants 25

27 Vehicle Arson Fires 26

28 Vehicle Fires Incendiary 437 Accidental 43 Total

29 Vehicle Arson Prevention Clean garage Park car in garage Park your car in a well-lit area Use a secure parking lot for extended periods Close all windows Remove the key from the ignition Always lock doors, trunk, tailgate Use antitheft devices Report abandoned cars to police To report arson contact: Fire and Arson Investigation Division

30 Oak Cliff Serial Arsonists 28 vehicle fires between February 27, 2008 and April 6, 2008 Received assistance from DPD Covert, Uniformed & Technology Four juveniles arrested on April 6, 2008 Charges filed on five juveniles 29

31 Crime Stoppers Call Crime Stoppers to Burn an Arsonist for Cold Cash Crime Stoppers has increased the reward up to $5, for Information that leads to the arrest and indictment of persons setting the vehicles on fire (Vehicle Arson) in the South Oak Cliff area. Call TIPS (8477) to leave tips. 30

32 Questions? 31