Explanation
Title
To proclaim the week of May 6-12, 2007 National Arson Awareness Week in Columbus, Ohio.
Body
WHEREAS, arson is a serious crime that affects each and every person and can only be stopped when citizens realize the severe damage that arson causes; and
WHEREAS, nearly 20 percent of all arsons occur in vehicles and arson is the second-highest cause of vehicle fires; and
WHEREAS, in 2004, there were 36,000 intentionally set vehicle fires reported nationally, which was an increase of 18 percent from the previous year; and
WHEREAS, in 2006, the Columbus Division of Fire Arson Section investigated more than 200 vehicle arson fires which resulted in property damage of nearly $500,000; and
WHEREAS, the crime of arson has one of the lowest clearance rates of any major crime; and
WHEREAS, the price that citizens pay for vehicle fires is extreme, and insurance premiums increase for everyone when the crime of vehicle arson is committed; and
WHEREAS, arson fires jeopardize the lives of citizens and emergency service personnel; and
WHEREAS, the Columbus Division of Fire stresses the importance of citizens being aware of arson and how it affects everyone; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
That this Council does hereby proclaim the week of May 6-12, 2007 as National Arson Awareness Week and encourages all citizens to learn more about the tremendous toll arson takes on our community and our nation and to commit themselves to prevention efforts.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a copy of this Resolution be presented to the Columbus Division of Fire with our esteem.