Title
To declare the week of May 3, 2009 National Arson Awareness Week in Columbus, Ohio.
Body
WHEREAS, arson for profit is a criminal method of obtaining money from a fire loss policy; and
WHEREAS, arson for profit, or economic arson, is when businesses or individuals set fires to reduce financial loss, recoup initial investments, or dispose of depreciated assets usually for a payout from insurance companies; and
WHEREAS, the Insurance Information Institute reports that arsonists destroyed nearly $900 million in insured property and killed 295 civilians nationwide in 2007; and
WHEREAS, in 2005, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) estimated there were 323,900 intentional fires which resulted in 490 civilian fire deaths, 3 firefighter on-duty deaths, 1,500 civilian fire injuries, 7,600 firefighter on-duty injuries, and $1.102 billion in direct property damage; and
WHEREAS, already this year, arson of vacant and abandoned homes and businesses in Columbus has spiked, resulting in one civilian death and multiple injuries to firefighters and civilians alike; and
WHEREAS, arson is a serious crime that jeopardizes the lives of Columbus citizens and emergency service personnel, which can only be stopped when citizens realize the severe damage arson causes; and
WHEREAS, the Columbus Division of Fire, Fire Prevention Bureau stresses the importance of citizens being aware of arson; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
That this Council does hereby declare the week of May 3-9, 2009 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.