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U.S. Administration Vehicle — A Combustible National Arson Awareness Week Media Kit May 4-10, 2014 Vehicle Arson — A Combustible Crime National Arson Awareness Week, May 4-10, 2014

Each year during the first full week in May, the U.S. by stress and crisis in children’s lives. There can be a Fire Administration (USFA) and our partners work to thrill from seeing a car in . “Youth firesetting” raise awareness of arson and provide individuals with was the focus for the 2012 Arson Awareness Week. strategies to combat it in their community. Excitement This year, Arson Awareness Week is May 4-10 and focuses on vehicle arson. Most excitement are often nuisance fires but may escalate to vehicles. Excitement-motivated arsonists Vehicle Arson Motivations and Prevention desire the thrill associated with setting the fire and rel- Tips ish the attention it brings. They rarely intend to injure people but don’t have the requisite knowledge to keep Motivations Behind Vehicle Arson the fires under control. A car is an easy target, and with little effort and risk, it can create an impressive fire. The motivations behind the burning of vehicles are similar to those of other types of arson . Insurance or Arson for Profit The Most Common Motive: Revenge Arson for profit is , a criminal method of obtaining money from the insurance policy. People According to the National Center for the Analysis of purchase cars that they can’t afford and get behind in Violent Crime, the most common motive (41 percent) the payments. A lease was attractive at first, until they for a serial arsonist is revenge. An arsonist will target realize that the additional miles racked up will result in the home of someone in retaliation for an actual or hefty financial penalties. Nowadays, with a combina- perceived injustice against him or her. A car is viewed tion of the economy and increasing prices, setting as an extension of the individual and is a very personal the car on fire is seen as a quick and victimless escape. target for revenge arson. “Arson for profit” was the theme for the 2009 Arson Other common motives for vehicle arson include: Awareness Week. Concealing Another Crime Vehicle Arson: The Insurer’s Perspective Arson is sometimes used to mask or conceal another Setting unwanted vehicles on fire for insurance payouts crime, such as . The criminal sets the crime ranks among the most common automobile insurance scene ablaze, hoping that the victim’s death will be at- crimes year after year. Expensive, gas-guzzling SUVs tributed to the fire and not murder. Other crimes, such are especially popular vehicles to try and unload. Typ- as and , are also commonly covered up ically, the drivers have fallen on hard times. They view by an arson fire. insurance arson as the ticket to escaping high monthly payments and gas prices that they can’t afford. Curiosity Insurance companies are skilled at detecting these crimes Curiosity fires are most often set by juveniles. The mis- and the drivers’ greedy motives. “Burning your vehi- use of fire has many variables, including age, motiva- cle raises premiums for honest drivers everywhere but tion for firesetting behavior, type of fires set, ignition insurance cheaters are the ones who’ll get burned the materials used to set the fires, and the child’s under- most. They’ll be stuck with a criminal record that follows standing of the limitations of fire. Firesetting behavior them for the rest of their lives,” says Dennis Jay, executive is often a symptom of the problem and may be caused director of the Coalition Against Insurance Fraud.

Arson Awareness Week 2014: Vehicle Arson — A Combustible Crime 1 It Takes Two Vandalism or the criminal offense of malicious A man from Cadillac, Michigan, received a sentence can be the result of boredom, peer pressure or even of just under a year (330 days) after pleading guilty to gang activity. Vehicles parked in a lot or a great distance fourth-degree arson involving the burning of a car. A from a residence and seemingly abandoned automobiles second person also pleaded guilty after the pair was are attractive targets for trouble-making activities. involved with setting a car on fire on private in Clam Lake Township. Motivations From Real-Life Cases Pick Your Poison — Automobile or Arson A Friend in Need A man from Mabton, Washington, stole a car with a A middle school guidance counselor from North profit-making plan to dismantle the vehicle and sell Plainfield, New Jersey, pleaded guilty to third-degree the parts. He had difficulty removing the parts, be- arson and third-degree insurance fraud for setting fire came frustrated, and set the vehicle on fire. The man to his BMW 525I at a park after reporting that it was was sentenced within the standard range of four to 12 stolen that morning to police. Six days later, he devised months for pleading guilty to possession of a stolen car a similar plan to burn his friend’s Acura TL; the lease and a reduced charge of reckless burning. was coming to an end, but he was facing high mileage penalties. The friend reported his car stolen, and it was Prying Eyes Are Watching You found burning late that night in a high school parking A woman living in the outskirts of Chester, Pennsyl- lot. For a reduced sentence, the guidance counselor vania, was found guilty of insurance fraud, arson, agreed to testify against his now ex-friend. Both re- and filing a false report and was sentenced to 14 to 28 ceived a year in jail and are banned from public service. months. She smashed the window in her Honda the Masking a Murder night before and set it on fire at 5 a.m. in the park- ing lot of her apartment complex. Despite conducting A man from Rosedale, Maryland, was convicted of sec- her fraudulent business at night and very early in the ond-degree murder. He stabbed his victim to death and morning, her actions were seen by her neighbors. then placed the man in a car before setting fire to the vehicle. The man’s body was burned beyond recognition. Teacher Gives Students an “A” for Arson No Reason Given A high school chemistry teacher in Houston, , who was behind on her Chevy Malibu car payments A Shrewsbury Township, Pennsylvania, man pleaded offered a passing grade to two failing students in her guilty to setting 13 cars on fire over a 14-month peri- class if they agreed to burn her unwanted car for insur- od. When asked, “Why did you do it?” by the judge, he ance money. At first, they thought she was kidding, but responded, “I really don’t have a reason, I wasn’t think- she continued with the proposition. With final exams ing about the consequences.” The man accepted multiple approaching, the pair eventually accepted the deal. guilty pleas to arson, criminal and criminal While the teacher was at the cinema with her 11-year- mischief, receiving a 2 1/2- to five-year sentence in coun- old daughter, the students drove her vehicle with the ty prison, where he’ll be afforded outmate work release keys they found in the glove box to a secluded wooded and begin paying restitution for the burned vehicles. area and doused it with lighter fluid. Before setting it on fire, the duo vandalized the Malibu and broke the I Had a Bad Day steering column to make it seem like a real theft. Even A young man from Provo, Utah, began his day steal- before the insurance claim was settled, the teacher ing cash and prescription medications. To get away, he purchased a new shiny red car. True to her word, the stole a car but accidentally drove it into a fence, and in students passed the class with one receiving a 90 per- order to destroy , he lit the car on fire. He was cent and the other receiving an 80 percent on the final. convicted of one count of arson, a second-degree felo- Mobile phone records and a plea deal to avoid a lengthy ny, as well as and counts of theft, sentence resulted in a conviction. The disgraced teacher resulting in a sentence of five to 15 years depending on received five years of deferred adjudication and 90 days whether they are served concurrently. in the Harris County Jail, along with having to surren- der her teaching license.

Arson Awareness Week 2014: Vehicle Arson — A Combustible Crime 2 Vehicle Arson is Not a Victimless Crime • Most car owners guilty of arson will claim that their cars were stolen before the fire was set — the In addition to the higher insurance premiums passed investigator must validate this claim by checking on to innocent customers, the responding the ignition for damage. are exposed to increased dangers from the deadly mix- ture of fuel and fire. A Los Angeles couple was involved • Check the windows — a typical car fire won’t in an arson for profit and insurance fraud scheme. The generate enough heat to melt the glass windows, man who set the fire was convicted of arson with great whereas an would generate much more bodily injury and was sentenced to 14 years in the Cali- heat, melting the windows. fornia State Prison system. His partner was sentenced to three years of probation for the insurance fraud charge. • Examine the exterior of the car to determine if ex- tensive bodywork was required that the owner did Investigative Hints and not want to pay to repair. Successful Practices Source: interFIRE Investigative Hints for Suspected Vehicle Arson Successful Practices in Vehicle Fire Investigating vehicle arson can be difficult. Multiple Investigation and Prevention points of origin are common because of all the natural Essex County, New Jersey — Vehicle Fire Initiative in a vehicle. The fire itself destroys poten- tial evidence. There are several fuel sources, includ- Essex County’s geographic location and network of ing , wiring, and both interior and exterior highways (three interstates and the Garden State Park- components. There are numerous ignition sources, way) make it an easily accessible and inviting locale for including the engine, electrical systems and exhaust individuals looking for a place to burn a vehicle. The parts. The significant electrical wiring system has to be Essex County New Jersey Vehicle Fire Initiative receives completely evaluated, which is both time-consuming the benefit of continuing financial assistance from the and physically difficult. Compact structures, such as ve- New Jersey Office of the Insurance Fraud Prosecutor. hicles, burn quickly and completely and are extremely The Vehicle Fire Initiative continues its groundbreaking difficult to investigate. work in the investigation of insurance-related vehicle fires. This highly technical and painstaking investiga- If you suspect a vehicle arson: tive and prosecutorial effort has made the Essex County • Look for a tampered fuel system, including tool Prosecutor’s Office the subject of several complimentary marks and severely damaged parts, such as the press reports. In the present difficult economic climate, carburetor. these efforts will be redoubled to identify and prosecute those cases in which fire is used to get out from under • An electrical short can cause a vehicle fire when the burdensome lease or financing payments. ’s charge is low. The investigator can mea- sure the battery’s charge — a fully charged battery The Arson Task Force’s expertise and determination does not support that claim. in the investigation and prosecution of vehicle fires is evident in the case where a vehicle was set on fire • Vehicle fires are often contained in the compart- in broad daylight in Irvington, with the unidentified ment in which they started — parts located in the perpetrator fleeing in another car. A quick response engine compartment will not burn the entire car by Arson Task Force investigators resulted in retrieval unless an accelerant is used to spread the flames. of a discarded glove at the scene. This key evidence was submitted to the New Jersey State Police Lab for • If a serious defect in the engine is discovered, the DNA analysis, which matched it to the defendant. The owner may have wanted to collect insurance mon- defendant was later convicted and is presently serving a ey rather than pay for repairs. five-year state prison sentence. • The passenger compartment also offers clues to in- vestigators. Check to see if the owner removed his or her possessions before the fire.

Arson Awareness Week 2014: Vehicle Arson — A Combustible Crime 3 Las Vegas Police Vehicle Arson Statistics The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department has a • From 2008-2010, 14 percent of all fires were vehi- special detail within its Property Crimes Section called cle fires. Of these fires, 7 percent were intentionally the Vehicle Investigations Project for Enforcement and set. Source: USFA. Recovery (VIPER). The VIPER Auto Theft Task Force involves officers from Metro, North Las Vegas, Hender- • From 2004-2006, an estimated 27,900 - son and the Nevada Highway Patrol, including the use ally set vehicle fires occurred each year in the U.S. of helicopters to scan remote portions of the deserts These intentionally set fires resulted in an average surrounding Las Vegas. of approximately 40 deaths, 75 injuries, and $169 million in property loss each year. Source: USFA. A common scenario is when a VIPER investigator re- ceives a report of a car fire in the desert located more • During 2007-2011, local fire departments respond- than 50 miles from downtown. It’s often a late mod- ed to an average of 20,400 intentionally set vehi- el luxury car or SUV reported stolen by the owner. cle fires, accounting for 7 percent of intentionally Officers arrive to see the car on fire, but it hasn’t been set fires and resulting in an average of 32 civilian stripped of valuable parts ranging from audio systems deaths, 67 civilian injuries, and $176 million in to transmissions. The cars were set on fire to avoid ex- direct . Source: National Fire Pro- cessive car payments or lease penalties or to try to get tection Association (NFPA). some cash out of the insurance companies. They have • Two-thirds of intentionally set vehicle fires occur received hundreds of these calls per month. under the cloak of darkness (9 p.m.-6 a.m.). Source: Many of these desperate people are regular citizens not NFPA. accustomed to lying to the police and much less famil- • Over the last 10 years (2003-2012), there has been iar with the means of successfully setting a car ablaze. an average of 14,737 vehicle reported, ac- Officers interview suspects with telltale signs, such as counting for 26.5 percent of total arsons annually. burns or the scent of accelerants. Source: FBI. Montgomery County, Maryland — Vehicle Anti- Theft and Vehicle Arson Task Force 2014 Arson Awareness Week Partners The Montgomery County Fire and Investiga- National Fire Protection Association tion Section and the Montgomery County Police Cen- Arson and Intentional Fires tralized Auto Theft Section have created a task force to combat vehicle arsons and theft. The Vehicle Anti-Theft In 2010, U.S. fire departments responded to an estimat- and Vehicle Arson Task Force and the Maryland/Dis- ed 260,600 fires that were started intentionally. These trict of Columbia Anti-Car Theft (MD/DC ACT) Com- fires caused 390 deaths, 1,340 injuries and $1.2 billion mittee are committed to protecting the community in direct property damage. Most of these fires occur from individuals who victimize the owners of vehicles outside, but most of the associated deaths, injuries and in Maryland. The MD/DC ACT has provided funding losses occur in structures, particularly in homes. for telephone lines and reward money for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of individuals Source: NFPA’s Latest Estimates of Intentional Fires — responsible for vehicle-related arsons in Montgomery 2010 County. There are approximately 200 vehicle fires in Facts and Figures Montgomery County each year. Nationally, nearly 1 out of 5 fires involves a vehicle, and 1 out of 8 fire deaths Based on 2005-2009 annual averages: results from a vehicle fire. Anyone who has informa- tion about a fire in Montgomery County is urged to • Although 3 of every 4 intentional fires are started call an arson tip line. outside, most of the intentional fire casualties and property loss resulted from structure fires. • Intentionally set home structure fires are more likely to be set in the afternoon and evening hours, between 3 p.m. and midnight.

Arson Awareness Week 2014: Vehicle Arson — A Combustible Crime 4 • The bedroom is the leading area of origin for • In-depth education in the latest fire investigation intentional home structure fires, while bathrooms topics covered in Fire & Arson Investigator journal, are the leading areas in public such as IAAI’s quarterly journal (in print or electronic). stores, offices or schools. • Comprehensive Membership Directory (available Source: NFPA’s “Intentional Fires” report online to members only). Free Presentation • Networking opportunities with fellow members and expert instructors. As a part of its 2008 Urban Fire Safety Project, NFPA worked with the Columbus (Ohio) Division of Fire to • An $11,000 Accidental Death & Dismemberment produce the “Preventing Arson Together” (8.2 mega- Insurance Policy. bytes) PowerPoint presentation. Although there are many approaches to solve the arson problem, this pro- • Local training and networking opportunities gram focuses on actions people in neighborhoods can through IAAI chapters. take to help prevent a variety of types of arson. This • Representation of members’ interests in Washing- presentation is designed for fire and life safety educa- ton, D.C. tors to present. View the presentation in the “Notes Pages” mode to see both the slide and the script to use. • Representation for IAAI on NFPA committees relat- Feel free to add local statistics and photos to the pre- ing to fire investigation. sentation; the photos and graphics in the presentation are copyright materials to be used only in the “Pre- • John Charles Wilson & Robert Doran, Sr. Scholar- venting Arson Together” presentation. ships for college students. • Support for testing and research projects relating to International Association of Arson Investigators fire investigation. About International Association of Arson Investigators Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives The International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI) is an international professional association of Arson and Explosives Enforcement more than 8,000 fire investigation professionals, united The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explo- by a strong commitment to suppress the crime of arson sives (ATF) is the federal agency primarily responsi- through professional fire investigation. ble for administering and enforcing the criminal and Vision regulatory provisions of the federal laws pertaining to destructive devices (bombs), explosives and arson. IAAI will continue to serve as the global resource for Over nearly 40 years, ATF has developed scientifically those serving and associated with the fire, arson and proven investigative capabilities, expertise and resourc- explosion investigation profession with respect to fire es. They have positioned ATF as the nation’s primary safety/prevention, arson enforcement/prosecution, and source for explosives and fire investigative knowledge fire claims/litigation. and assistance. Why Join the International Association of Arson Arson Enforcement Investigators? Accelerant and Arson Detection Canines • Career enhancement through professional creden- Canines specially trained to detect explosives, explo- tialing programs: Certified Fire Investigator (IAAI- sives residue, and accelerants to assist law enforcement. CFI), Fire Investigation Technician (IAAI-FIT), Evidence Collection Technician (IAAI-ECT), and Fire Research Lab Certified Instructor (IAAI-CI). The Fire Research Lab provides testing, computer modeling and other engineering analyses in support • Professional development through IAAI-exclusive, of fire and explosion investigations with an eye toward in-person classes and the annual IAAI International research that is of benefit to the entire fire investigation Training Conference. community.

Arson Awareness Week 2014: Vehicle Arson — A Combustible Crime 5 Certified Fire Investigators Arson and Explosives Training ATF Certified Fire Investigator (CFI) is a highly trained special agent who provides technical support, analysis Crimes involving arson and explosives are the most and assistance to ATF and its state and local partners in devastating crimes confronting our society. They fire origin and cause determination and arson investi- destroy property, disrupt human lives, and place an ev- gation. The ATF CFI is a field division’s primary re- er-increasing economic burden upon our citizens. The source in fire- and arson-related investigations. increasing number of violent acts involving arson and explosives has established a greater need for state and International and National Response Teams local investigators with a high level of expertise. Veteran special agents with post blast and origin-cause expertise who help federal, state and local investigators In response to this problem, and by virtue of its statu- meet the challenges of significant arson and tory authority under Title XI of the incidents. Control Act of 1970, ATF initiates investigations and assists in state and local bomb and arson investigations. Explosives Enforcement ATF’s experience in these investigations has shown that a cooperative effort between trained state and local of- Accelerant and Explosives Detection Canines ficers and ATF results in more effective investigations. Canines specially trained to detect explosives, explo- sives residue, and accelerants to assist law enforcement. In order for law enforcement to adequately combat these violations, cooperation among federal, state and Certified Explosives Specialists local agencies is essential to achieve this coordinated ATF’s primary resource for explosives enforcement and effort. As part of this cooperative effort, ATF offers investigation-related matters. training in arson and explosives for state and local Criminal Investigative Analysis investigators and prosecutors. ATF’s criminal profilers offer their assistance in geo- Courses graphic and behavioral profiling to law enforcement agencies around the world. • Advanced Explosives Disposal Techniques (Course ID EXPL-CS-0001). Explosive Enforcement Officers ATF’s technical resource for destructive device deter- • Post Blast Investigative Techniques 1 (Course ID minations, military ordnance, bomb disposal, render EXPL-CS-0013). safe and disassembly operations, and expert witness testimony. • Home Made Explosives (Identification, Process, Disposal) (Course ISD EXPL-CS-0018). Explosive Research and Development ATF studies emerging technologies for identifying and Bomb Arson Tracking System detecting explosives and explosives effects, behavior What is the Bomb Arson Tracking System? and devices. The Bomb Arson Tracking System (BATS) is a Web- International and National Response Teams based case management system that provides you, state, Veteran special agents with post blast and origin-cause and local arson and explosives investigators access to expertise who help federal, state and local investigators up-to-date arson and explosives investigative data from meet the challenges of significant arson and explosive across the nation at no charge. Unlike anything you incidents. may currently use, it’s not just limited to your local ju- National Explosives Task Force risdiction or state. BATS provides you access to national The National Explosives Task Force is the central com- arson and explosives incident information. munication and coordination point for ATF and the FBI, at the headquarters level, for explosives response coordination and intelligence matters.

Arson Awareness Week 2014: Vehicle Arson — A Combustible Crime 6 How Does the Bomb Arson Tracking System Work? state legislatures on fire protection. Some state fire mar- shals are responsible for training, hazardous BATS is a secure, user-friendly, Web-based computer materials incident responses, wildland fires, and the application. All you need is a browser and an Internet regulation of natural gas and other pipelines. connection to use it. BATS is available to you around the clock. The BATS interface is easy to use; you enter Most of our members are appointed by governors or case information into clearly identified data entry fields other high-ranking state officials. Some are state police and easily click drop-down menu selections. You can officers. Many are former firefighters. Some are fire share your arson and explosives incidents with oth- protection engineers, while others are former state leg- er BATS users across the country, and you can search islators, insurance experts and labor union officials. and analyze national data to discover trends, patterns and leads. You can also use BATS to create a variety of NASFM’s members are the ultimate authority in our reports customized to your needs and track and report organization. The membership meets annually, elects a incidents to justify budget requests. BATS is agency-ad- board of directors and officers, and is consulted when- ministered and reports are printed with your agency’s ever possible on crucial matters. letterhead. BATS is also part of the national curriculum National Volunteer Fire Council at the Hazardous Devices School (bomb technicians) at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama, and the About the National Volunteer Fire Council National Fire Academy’s “Fire/Arson Origin-and-Cause Investigations” course in Emmitsburg, Maryland. In The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) is the addition, BATS is part of the FBI’s “Model for Bomb leading nonprofit membership association representing Squad Standard Operating Procedures.” the interests of the volunteer fire, Emergency Medical Services (EMS), and rescue services. The NVFC serves Features and Benefits as the voice of the volunteer in the national arena and provides invaluable tools, resources, programs and BATS features state-of-the-art case management tech- advocacy for first responders across the nation. nology. Users are able to capture details of explosives and fire cases, including improvised explosive device The mission of the NVFC is to provide a unified voice (IED) components, incendiary devices, origin and for volunteer fire/EMS organizations. This mission is cause or device placement, suspect information, casu- accomplished by: alties, dollar losses, fire descriptors, collateral crimes, witness interviews, juvenile firesetters, and descrip- • Representing the interests of the volunteer fire, tions of how a device was delivered. BATS is separate emergency medical, or rescue organizations at the from the National Fire Incident Reporting System U.S. Congress and federal agencies. (NFIRS) database. NFIRS reports the fire department • Promoting the interests of the state and local orga- suppression efforts; BATS documents the follow-up nizations at the national level. investigation. BATS allows users to search for case similarities nationwide to discover whether the same • Promoting and providing education and training individual, IED or arson is related to an investigation in for the volunteer fire, emergency medical, or res- another jurisdiction. cue organizations. National Association of State Fire Marshals • Providing representation on national standards-set- ting committees and projects. Who Are State Fire Marshals? • Gathering information from and disseminating The membership of National Association of State Fire information to the volunteer fire, emergency medi- Marshals (NASFM) comprises the most senior fire offi- cal, or rescue organizations. cials in the U.S. State fire marshals’ responsibilities vary from state to state, but marshals tend to be responsible for fire safety code adoption and enforcement, fire and arson investigation, fire incident data reporting and analysis, public education, and advising governors and

Arson Awareness Week 2014: Vehicle Arson — A Combustible Crime 7 Coalition Against Insurance Fraud Insurance Committee for Arson Control About the Coalition Welcome The Coalition Against Insurance Fraud is America’s Founded in 1978, the Insurance Committee for Arson only anti-fraud alliance speaking for consumers, insur- Control (ICAC) is the only organization in the fire and ance companies, government agencies and others. investigation industry composed entirely of insurance companies. ICAC promotes attention to many import- Through its unique work, the Coalition empowers con- ant fire investigation and arson prosecution issues each sumers to fight back, helps fraud fighters better detect year and works to increase public awareness of the this crime, and deters more people from committing arson problem. fraud. Insurance Committee for Arson Control Mission The Coalition supports this mission with a large and Statement continually expanding armory of practical tools: in- formation, research and data, services, and insight as a ICAC serves as a national resource, education and com- leading voice of the anti-fraud community. munications organization. From this perspective, ICAC sponsors and coordinates the activities of the National The Power of Unity Arson Forum, a gathering of leaders from the public Flash back to 1993. Spiraling insurance scams were and private sectors to exchange information and de- driving everyone’s premiums higher and higher. The velop new resources to aid all participants in the battle nation was struggling with a mounting crime wave, against arson. looking for answers. ICAC works to increase public awareness of the arson Leaders of the anti-fraud fight realized America need- problem, what can be done, and how the industry is ed a catalyst to unite and ignite the power of many responding on both the national and local levels. It diverse groups against rampant fraud. Only a long-term does this through contact with the media, local task commitment would work against such a deeply en- forces and the public directly. Through an annual trenched problem. training seminar and a series of publications, ICAC also provides information to help insurers recognize The vision of these charter members became the arson-prone risks, resist fraud-motivated arson claims, Coalition Against Insurance Fraud — the nation’s only and otherwise help bring arson under control. anti-fraud watchdog that speaks for consumers, insur- ance companies, legislators, regulators and others. Dedication Control Everyone’s Cost • Promoting and coordinating the Public Affairs effort within the industry to fight the battle against The Coalition has become one of America’s most arson. trusted and credible anti-fraud forces, thanks to our remarkable diversity. Together, our members are work- • Providing continuing education and training for ing to control everyone’s insurance costs, protect the claims investigators, law enforcement personnel, public’s safety, and bring this crime wave to its knees. attorneys, and others involved in arson investigation. Since its founding in 1993, the Coalition has worked effectively to: • Developing greater public and private sector aware- ness of the arson problem. • Enact tough new anti-fraud laws and regulations. • Supporting legislation that has a deterrent effect on • Educate the public in how to fight back. the crime of arson. • Conduct objective and useful research on fraud. • Bring together people and organizations in coa- litions and alliances to work on specific areas of insurance fraud.

Arson Awareness Week 2014: Vehicle Arson — A Combustible Crime 8 Focus Objectives • Act as industry representative/leader for arson 1. Expand existing training by developing new proac- issues. tive programs for a broader audience of insurance personnel. • Repository of arson information. 2. Increase public relations activities to include creat- • Training resource for arson investigators/property ing a website, increasing number of press releases, and casualty companies. etc. • Forum for industry to discuss arson issues. 3. Liaison with all related agencies on arson control • Publications. issues. 4. Become the insurance industry information devel- oper and clearinghouse regarding arson awareness education and control.

Arson Awareness Week 2014: Vehicle Arson — A Combustible Crime 9