Task Force Uses Many Programs To Combat Arson in San Francisco
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AMERICA’S MALIGNANT CRIME
Faced with a serious arson problem, San Francisco organized an Arson Task Force similar to one that has been operating successfully for three years in Seattle.
When Mayor George R. Moscone announced the formation of the San Francisco Arson Task Force last October, he put into effect the proposal that had been made by Fire Chief Andrew C. Casper. The task force includes the fire and police departments, the district attorney and the insurance industry. The problem handed to the task force was formidable because it is estimated that arson was the cause of nearly half of the property loss in San Francisco last year.
In its first six months, the task force’s efforts included a study of the arson problem to define what the task force was combatting. It was soon apparent that the task force members had a variety of ideas about what their objectives were.
Once the problem was defined, it was necessary to agree on how to solve it. Once again, there were as many concepts as there were members of the task force. The methods were discussed, debated and finally defined. The task force members, selected because of their affiliations and specialities, established a number of programs to educate and involve the public.
Hot-line for information
An arson hot-line, a telephone manned 24 hours a day, was set up to receive arson information from the public. Citizens are encouraged to phone in if they see strangers behaving suspiciously in a high-incidence neighborhood. After arson fires, witnesses reluctant to provide information in person can now phone in needed information. As in most investigations, solving arson cases depends on gathering as much pertinent data from as many sources as possible.
The second important weapon in San Francisco’s fight against arson is the city-sponsored reward program. The mayor can authorize rewards of up to $1000 for information leading to the conviction of arsonists. The rewards are limited to $1000 for each fire.
The reward program might turn out to be a better public relations tool than it was first thought to be. When the Seattle Arson Task Force used the same idea, it prompted an average of 30 calls a day. Very few callers asked about the reward when they offered valuable information. The reward offer may become far more valuable than the amount of payments by impressing upon citizens just how serious a crime arson is.
—San Francisco F.D. photos.
Another feature of San Francisco’s program is an extensive publicity program that includes billboards throughout the city proclaiming, “Stamp out arson.” This is meant to convince the public that arson is an expensive, dangerous crime that is out of control. The one way to find out whether this is a good idea is to do what San Francisco is doing—put up a few billboards with the message.
Brochures distributed
Along with the billboards, San Francisco is distributing thousands of brochures which explain arson problems and solutions. This brochure, financed and printed by the insurance industry, is intended to go to as many San Franciscans as possible. Its distribution will be massive through youth groups, civic organizations and clubs, public programs, and business channels.
Another public-awareness idea of the Arson Task Force is a monthly newsletter that provides current information on all aspects of the program. This will be a deterrent by pointing out the trends in arrests and convictions. The newsletter serves the dual purpose of discouraging further arson and educating the public.
Fire officials are scheduled to make regular public appearances to speak about arson. By informing students, business organizations, and civic affairs groups, the program is slowly evolving from a mere concept to a series of effective actions.
Strong publicity program
The immediate publicity goals have been expressed in terms of a six-month publicity program on as many fronts as possible. An important part of this idea is a continual exposure to the news media. The Arson Task Force schedules news conferences, provides news releases and bulletins, and participates in the preparation of news reports about arson.
The news media organizations in San Francisco have provided impressive coverage of the arson problem and, hopefully, will continue to compete with one another for the best coverage. Because the Arson Task Force depends on news exposure, its members gladly cooperate in developing arson news.
Many of San Francisco programs are in their formative stages. As those ideas come to life, they result in a reduction of arson. The announcement of the task force formation resulted in an unexpected drop in incidence. This also happened in the Seattle program. The result of announcements like this gives credibility to the theory that awareness and education (the deterrent programs) are the two most effective tools against arson. That’s why San Francisco is expending so much energy in that direction.
Investigation squads
In addition to diverse publicity, the task force includes full-time squads of trained personnel. These teams, consisting of fire and police department investigators gather evidence and interview witnesses and suspects as soon as possible. They begin their investigation before the flames are extinguished in many cases. This prompt action is essential to putting together a strong case.
The Arson Task Force has also initiated patrols, using marked arson investigator cars—another idea that was effective in the Seattle Task Forces’s work.
The intent of all aspects of the San Francisco program is to discourage arsonists from committing the crime.
